Washington – California wrapped up its legislative session after considering more than 50 tech policy bills. California legislators considered multiple pieces of landmark legislation aimed at regulating novel technologies like artificial intelligence and chatbots right up to the end of session, and Governor Gavin Newsom will have until October 12 to act upon the bills or they will automatically become law.
California’s legislature passed two chatbot measures. AB 1064 would prohibit adolescents from interacting with many chatbots, including those models that are not designed to be a chatbot. This would prohibit teenagers from accessing the tools they will need to compete in the digital economy. SB 243, a more targeted AI chatbot bill that would have mandatory reporting requirements when people discuss self-harm with chatbots, plus a ban on addictive reward structures sometimes used to increase user engagement with the bots.
SB 53 is an attempt to establish AI safety regulations after Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1047 (from the 2024 session) over concerns that it was too broadly written and not appropriately risk-based. Building off the report from the Joint California Policy Working Group on AI Frontier Models, SB 53 would focus on frontier models that are deemed to present a “credible risk” and have mandated transparency requirements and whistleblower protection. SB 53 inappropriately focuses on large developers without considering that small companies can create powerful models that pose safety risks. The bill does not recognize that multiple actors, including downstream deployers, can modify models in a way that could potentially increase safety concerns.
AB 56, a bill that would require social media platforms to display a black box warning about mental health harms, has advanced in the legislature. The bill would require a government-mandated warning label on social media platforms and apply to all users, regardless of age or content. That means adults and teens alike would face warnings, even when accessing safe, educational, or supportive content.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association supports more online protections for younger internet users and media literacy programs and online tools that empower parents to make decisions on what is appropriate for their teenager.
The following can be attributed to CCIA State Director Megan Stokes:
“Bills that sound great on paper can have profound consequences for the businesses and residents of California. Lawmakers should focus on legislation that helps to innovate California’s economy and protect residents from actual harm.”
“Social media provides parents and users more tools to manage access and the experience than any other communications technology to date. While everyone wants young people to have a safer experience online, we’re not sure spamming every Californian with a pop up message is the way to achieve that. A warning label is likely to get clicked past without much thought by the tenth time people see it, and therefore isn’t as helpful as media literacy or other programs.”
