Recently, California State Senator Steve Padilla introduced a new bill proposing to ban the production and sale of AI chatbot toys aimed at minors over the next four years. The move aims to give regulators time to establish more comprehensive child protection mechanisms.
Padilla stated in a statement that as AI chat tools become increasingly integrated into daily life, potential safety risks have emerged. He emphasized that current regulations for this technology remain relatively rudimentary, and it is necessary to gradually improve related rules and standards as the technology develops rapidly. By temporarily halting the sale of such toys, lawmakers hope to create a buffer period for establishing clear safety standards.
Over the past year, some families have experienced tragic incidents after their children interacted extensively with chatbots, leading to lawsuits against relevant companies. These tragedies have prompted lawmakers to take more proactive actions. Padilla previously helped pass SB243, which requires chatbot service providers to implement protective measures for children and vulnerable users to ensure their safety.
At the same time, OpenAI and Mattel had originally planned to launch an AI-related toy in 2025, but the project has recently been postponed, with the reason not yet disclosed. Padilla urged parents not to let their children become test subjects for large tech companies. His proposal undoubtedly adds a new voice and attention to the discussion on child safety issues.
Key Points:
- 🛑 California proposes to ban the production and sale of AI chatbot toys aimed at minors for the next four years.
- ⚖️ The proposal aims to gain time to establish more comprehensive child protection mechanisms.
- 💔 There have been cases of tragedies caused by interactions with chatbots in the past year, prompting lawmakers to take action.
