A new law regulating companion AI chatbots took effect in California on October 13th. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 243, which is described as establishing the first safety standards for AI chatbots. State senator Anthony Padilla highlighted the importance of these new safeguards, which require developers to inform users if they might mistakenly believe they are interacting with a human rather than an AI.
Under the law, developers of companion chatbots will need to provide a conspicuous notification to users in such cases. Additionally, starting next year, operators of certain chatbots must submit annual reports to the Office of Suicide Prevention. These reports will detail the measures implemented to identify, address, and eliminate instances of suicidal ideation among users, with the Office required to publish this information on its website.
Governor Newsom has stated that while emerging technologies such as chatbots and social media have the potential to inspire and connect, they can also pose risks without proper regulations in place. He emphasized the need for responsible leadership in the realms of AI and technology, particularly in safeguarding children.
This development follows the enactment of Senate Bill 53, aimed at enhancing transparency within AI operations, which had generated considerable debate among companies involved in artificial intelligence. The introduction of these laws reflects an ongoing effort by California to address the implications of rapidly advancing technology.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/798875/california-just-passed-a-new-law-requiring-ai-to-tell-you-its-ai