8 States Are Rushing to Pass AI Laws Right Now — and Your Chatbot Might Get Banned
A wave of new state laws targeting AI chatbots is sweeping across America. Virginia, Washington, Oregon, and more are racing to regulate before it's too late.
While Congress continues to drag its feet on AI regulation, state governments are taking matters into their own hands — and they're moving fast.
In just the past week, AI chatbot bills crossed chambers in four states: Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Bills advanced out of committees in four more: Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Hawaii. And brand new bills were introduced in California, Colorado, Iowa, and Georgia.
That's over a dozen states actively working on AI laws right now.
The focus? AI chatbots and companion apps. Lawmakers are especially worried about chatbots that form emotional relationships with users, particularly kids and teenagers. Washington's HB 2225 passed the House with a commanding 69-28 vote and is now moving through the Senate.
Florida's AI Bill of Rights also took a big step forward, passing unanimously out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. This bill would give people basic rights when interacting with AI systems.
Virginia managed to push three AI bills past its crossover deadline, including one specifically targeting chatbots and another regulating AI in mental health settings.
For AI companies, this patchwork of state laws could be a nightmare. Instead of following one federal standard, they might have to comply with dozens of different rules depending on where their users live.
As reported by Troutman Pepper.
Source: Troutman Pepper
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