California, September 29, 2025
News Summary
California lawmakers have approved Assembly Bill 1064 and Senate Bill 243 to enhance the safety of AI chatbots, particularly for minors. Governor Gavin Newsom must decide on the bills by mid-October. These measures aim to address mental health risks associated with chatbots, especially after incidents linking chatbot interactions to teenage suicides. The new legislation restricts access for minors to harmful chatbot content and mandates transparency from operators regarding AI interactions.
California lawmakers have passed two bills aimed at enhancing the safety of artificial intelligence chatbots: Assembly Bill 1064 and Senate Bill 243. Governor Gavin Newsom must decide whether to approve or reject these bills by mid-October. The legislation comes in response to mounting concerns about the potential mental health risks posed by chatbots, particularly for minors who may encounter harmful content through these AI platforms.
Tech companies, including OpenAI and Meta, have opposed the bills, arguing that the restrictions could stifle innovation in the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, the rapid pace of AI development has raised significant alarm among parents and lawmakers regarding child safety and mental health implications. In recent years, parents have filed lawsuits against tech companies, alleging that their chatbots encouraged teenage suicides, thus bringing greater urgency to the issue.
AB 1064 specifically prohibits making companion chatbots available to California residents under 18 if they could foreseeably cause harm to the user. Meanwhile, SB 243 mandates that chatbot operators inform users when they are interacting with an AI and requires measures to prevent the generation of content related to self-harm. Additionally, operators would be obliged to remind minor users every three hours to take breaks and reinforce that they are engaging with AI.
The tech lobbying group TechNet has expressed some agreement with the intent of the bills while asserting that they impose vague restrictions that may hinder access to beneficial AI tools. Despite these concerns, California lawmakers believe that both bills can coexist and provide necessary safety measures without hampering innovation in the tech industry. There is bipartisan support for the legislation, highlighting a shared commitment to enhancing protections against the risks posed by AI to young users.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has voiced his support for the passage of AB 1064. The bills gained momentum following high-profile incidents of teenage suicides linked to interactions with chatbots, emphasizing the immediate need for protective legislation. Furthermore, Senate Bill 243 includes a private right of action, enabling individuals to sue AI companies for violations, with the potential to seek damages up to $1,000 per violation.
California has previously enacted various AI regulations, but these new measures aim to set a precedent for specific safety protocols regarding chatbot interactions. Existing technologies like Character.AI and Replika have faced backlash after negative incidents involving young users, prompting advocacy groups to push for stronger regulations. These advocates fear that any amendments to the bills could weaken protections currently outlined.
In response to the proposed regulations, tech companies have mobilized with financial support for Super PACs aimed at opposing stringent regulations. As concerns continue to rise, lawmakers emphasize the need for commonsense guardrails as AI technologies evolve and increasingly influence the lives of minors.
Key Aspects of the New Legislation
- AB 1064 prohibits under-18 users from accessing harmful companion chatbots.
- SB 243 requires chatbot operators to disclose AI interaction and limit harmful content generation.
- Operators must regularly alert minors to take breaks from interactions.
- A private right of action in SB 243 allows lawsuits against violations, with damages of up to $1,000 per violation.
- Both bills reflect bipartisan support, aimed at safeguarding minors without impeding innovation.
FAQ Section
What are the names of the bills passed by California lawmakers regarding AI chatbots?
California lawmakers have passed two bills aimed at enhancing the safety of artificial intelligence chatbots: Assembly Bill 1064 and Senate Bill 243.
What is the primary purpose of AB 1064?
AB 1064 prohibits making companion chatbots available to California residents under 18 if they could foreseeably harm the user.
What does SB 243 require of chatbot operators?
SB 243 mandates that chatbot operators must inform users that they are interacting with an AI and implement measures to prevent the generation of self-harm content.
What are the potential consequences for violations of SB 243?
Senate Bill 243 includes a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue AI companies for violations, seeking damages up to $1,000 per violation.
What concerns led to the introduction of these bills?
Concerns have escalated about chatbots exposing minors to harmful content, including self-harm and sexual exploitation, alongside high-profile incidents of teen suicides linked to chatbot interactions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Los Angeles Times: California lawmakers pass bills to regulate AI chatbots
- TechCrunch: California bill to regulate AI companion chatbots
- StateScoop: California bill targeting harmful chatbots
- Crowell: California’s chatbot bill compliance burdens
- Built In: Overview of California’s companion chatbot bill SB 243
- Wikipedia: Artificial Intelligence
- Google Search: California AI chatbot regulations
- Google Scholar: California chatbot regulation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Artificial Intelligence
- Google News: California chatbot laws

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