Bill > S3062

This bill, known as the GUARD Act, aims to protect minors from harmful interactions with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, particularly those designed to simulate human relationships, referred to as "AI companions." It mandates that companies providing these AI chatbots to the public must implement "reasonable age verification processes" to ensure users are 18 or older before they can create an account or use the service. These processes must go beyond simply asking for a birthdate and can include methods like verified identification or information linked to financial or operating system accounts. The bill also criminalizes making AI chatbots publicly available that engage minors in sexually explicit conduct or encourage them to commit acts of violence or self-harm, with penalties of up to $250,000 per offense. Furthermore, AI chatbots must clearly disclose they are not human at the start of conversations and cannot claim to be licensed professionals, with a requirement to advise users to consult with actual professionals for advice. If an age verification process determines a user is a minor, they must be prohibited from accessing AI companions. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce these provisions through civil actions and rulemaking, with states also having the ability to bring enforcement actions to protect their residents.