Bill > S264

This bill establishes new legal protections for consumers interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots by creating a new chapter in Massachusetts law. The legislation defines a chatbot as an automated program designed to simulate human conversation using generative AI or similar technology, which can communicate through audio, visual, or text methods. The bill requires commercial entities to clearly and conspicuously disclose when a user is interacting with a chatbot rather than a human. Importantly, the bill stipulates that interactions with a chatbot will have the same legal standing as interactions with a human employee or agent of a company, and companies cannot use disclaimers to avoid legal responsibility for the chatbot's communications. Any violation of these provisions would be considered an unfair or deceptive practice under consumer protection laws, which could lead to potential legal enforcement and penalties. The goal of the legislation appears to be increasing transparency and accountability in AI-driven customer interactions, ensuring consumers are aware when they are communicating with an artificial system and that companies remain responsible for the information and representations made by their AI chatbots.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S264