Pennsylvania Senate passes bill requiring safeguards for AI chatbots
Pennsylvania - The Senate has approved legislation that would create safeguards for children interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.
Senate Bill 1090, the Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitative Chatbots and Harmful AI Technology (SAFECHAT) Act, would establish and require "age-appropriate" safeguards for children who may interact with AI chatbots. The bill is specifically aimed at AI content that encourages self-harm, violence or even suicide.
The safeguards would direct users to crisis resources when it detects high-risk language involving self-harm.
"As these tools become more common in classrooms, on smartphones and across social platforms, our laws must keep pace to prevent avoidable tragedies," said Pennsylvania Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-24).
A release from Pennsylvania Senate Republicans states that AI chatbots could pose a mental health risk to a young person's mind. It adds that families have filed lawsuits, alleging that AI chatbots contributed to their child's death by suicide.
Senate Bill 1090 will be given to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for review and voting. Then, if the House passes the legislation, it will head to Governor Josh Shapiro's desk for consideration.
