California Senator Steve Padilla has proposed a bill, SB 287, to implement a four-year ban on the sale and manufacture of toys with AI chatbot capabilities for children under 18. The aim is to provide safety regulators with time to develop appropriate regulations to protect children from potentially harmful AI interactions. This legislative move comes amid growing concerns over the safety of AI chatbots in children's toys, highlighted by incidents and lawsuits involving harmful interactions and the influence of AI on children. The bill reflects a cautious approach to integrating AI into children's products, emphasizing the need for robust safety guidelines before such technologies become mainstream in toys. Why this matters: Ensuring the safety of AI technologies in children's toys is crucial to prevent harmful interactions and protect young users from unintended consequences.
