State lawmakers want to rein in artificial intelligence

State lawmakers want to rein in artificial intelligence

State lawmakers want to rein in artificial intelligence

https://www.postandcourier.com/berkeley-independent/news/state-lawmakers-want-to-rein-in-artificial-intelligence/article_33532733-4600-48a1-9aee-4c837c250b2c.html

Publish Date: 2026-05-18 10:42:00

Source Domain: www.postandcourier.com

  • Bill Definition and Purpose: The “Protecting Children from Chatbots Act” aims to address the use of AI and chatbot technology, particularly for safeguarding children from exploitation and abuse.

  • Focus on Age Verification: The bill requires chatbot service providers to implement a limited access mode verifying user age and offering parental consent options.

  • User Well-being Protection: It prohibits digital providers from using technology that harms users’ well-being and mandates the reporting of harmful incidents involving chatbots and minors.

  • Criminal Accountability: By modernizing laws, the bill seeks to hold individuals accountable for creating explicit images from innocent ones, aligning such actions with child exploitation or abuse charges.

  • Legislative Initiative: State Senator Brian Adams co-sponsored the bill in the 2025-2026 session, emphasizing its importance to protect young people from AI-driven dependency and abuse.

  • Public Concerns and Testimonies: The lawmaker has heard numerous stories of children exploited through AI-generated images, fueling the need for protective legislation.