New York law restricts minors' use of AI companion chatbots, sparking backlash from the tech industry
New York law targets AI chatbots that mimic relationships with minors, sparking tech industry backlash | Malay Mail
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law prohibiting minors from using AI chatbots that serve as companions, and requiring operators of chatbots such as OpenAI's ChatGPT to verify users' ages and restrict certain features for users under 18. The law also stipulates that when used by minors, chatbots must not generate content that makes users believe it is "human, alive, or has human emotions," must not imply a personal, professional, or authoritative relationship with the user, and must not present outputs as personal opinions. The report describes this as one of the broadest measures in the United States restricting consumer-facing models; states including California have previously passed similar laws. The industry group Tech:NYC criticized the law's vague wording; OpenAI and Anthropic did not respond to AFP's request for comment, while Common Sense Media called it the strongest children's AI safety law in the nation.
New York signs a law restricting AI companion chatbots for minors, among the strictest in the nation; the tech industry criticizes its vague wording; an opportunity to understand the direction of US state-level AI regulation.