Regulation

The personal liability argument draws inspiration from a legal playbook used against Big Tobacco last century, in which lawyers argued that the companies created addictive products that harmed users. The companies have largely dodged legal threats by citing a federal shield, called Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which protects them from liability for what their users post.

The Parents & Kids Safe AI Act will: Require age assurance to distinguish kids from adults and ensure that child-protective settings are in place for users under 18; Prohibit child-targeted advertising and the sale or sharing of kids' and teens' data without parental consent; Require safeguards to protect kids and teens from AI generation and promotion of self-harm, eating disorders, violence, and sexually explicit acts. Prevent AI systems from manipulating kids by creating emotional dependence, simulating romantic relationships, or making child users think they're talking to a human; Require AI systems to provide easy-to-use parental controls so parents can monitor and limit their kids' AI use and receive parental alerts if their kids show signs of self-harm; Require AI systems to undergo independent audits to identify child safety risks and report them to the California attorney general; Require AI companies to conduct annual risk assessments to identify and document new and existing child safety risks, including the likelihood of severe harm; and Hold AI companies accountable for protecting children through California Attorney General investigations and financial penalties.