California cemented its position as a leader in technology regulation when Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of landmark bills designed to protect children from the emerging harms of artificial intelligence and social media. The new laws introduce a range of safeguards, including age verification requirements, protocols for addressing self-harm content, and stricter liability for the developers and distributors of AI technologies and deepfakes. One of the most significant new laws, AB 56, specifically targets "companion chatbots." It requires platforms to disclose that users are interacting with an AI, provide minors with periodic reminders to take breaks, and prevent them from viewing AI-generated sexually explicit images.
Another key piece of legislation, AB 316, addresses the legal accountability of AI systems. It explicitly states that it shall not be a defense in a civil or criminal action that an AI "autonomously caused the harm," preventing developers and users from escaping liability by blaming the technology. The legislative package also strengthens penalties for the creation and distribution of nonconsensual deepfake pornography. AB 56 expands the cause of action, allowing victims to seek civil relief of up to $250,000 per action against third parties who knowingly facilitate the distribution of such material. The enacted laws represent one of the most comprehensive attempts by any jurisdiction to regulate the intersection of youth safety and artificial intelligence, and they are likely to influence similar legislative efforts across the United States and globally.
Source: Governor Gavin Newsom