Washington passes new AI laws to crack down on misinformation, protect minors
Washington passes new AI laws to crack down on misinformation, protect minors
Publish Date: 2026-03-24 16:56:00
Source Domain: www.kuow.org
- Washington state introduced new regulations for artificial intelligence following two recently signed bills.
- Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1170 to address AI-generated misinformation by requiring AI tools to include watermarks or metadata when content is substantially modified using generative AI.
- House Bill 2225 aims to establish safety protocols for AI chatbots simulating human companionship, requiring disclosures about their non-human nature at the start of and every three hours into an ongoing chat.
- Underage users require more frequent disclosures, and AI chatbots are forbidden from engaging in sexually explicit conversations or manipulative tactics with minors.
- AI companions must also refrain from promoting self-harm or eating disorders and must provide protocols for flagging related conversations and linking users to mental health services.
- The new laws focus on protecting young people and mitigating the risks associated with heavy use of AI technology.
