New Legislation Aims to Regulate AI Interactions with Minors
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Nebraska is taking steps to ensure the safe interaction between minors and artificial intelligence. New legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Eliot Bostar, aims to mandate transparency in AI interactions with users under 18. The proposed law (LB1185) would require AI service providers to clearly state at the beginning of each session, and every three hours thereafter, that users are not interacting with a human.
Furthermore, the legislation seeks to prevent AI from offering sexual content or simulating romantic relationships. A crucial aspect of the bill is its focus on mental health; if a user expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide, AI providers must make diligent efforts to direct them to appropriate help, such as suicide hotlines.
During a hearing before the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, several supporters voiced their approval of the bill. Mary Pipher, a clinical psychologist and author, emphasized the dramatic societal shifts since 2004, including the advent of social media and smartphones, and more recently, AI and chatbots. “Social media was really just getting started. Cell phones came in in 2007 so the changes between 2004 and 2016 were significant. But since 2016 till now, we’ve had the rise of AI and chatbots. We’ve had the COVID pandemic, and we’ve had a rapidly changing culture that presents all of us with unique challenges that humans have never faced before,” Pipher noted.
Support also came from corporate entities, including Google, and Tech Nebraska, represented by Emily Allen. Allen highlighted the bill’s balanced approach, describing it as “a constructive starting point for what we often call smart regulation, policy that protects people while still allowing innovation to move forward.” She acknowledged the rapid pace of technological advancement, stating, “Tech and in this case, AI, is evolving faster than any legislative body can realistically keep pace with. That being said, this bill reflects a good faith effort to put reasonable guardrails in place.”
No opposition to the bill was recorded during the committee hearing.
In addition to LB1185, another proposal (LB1083) was discussed, targeting the safety measures of large chatbot developers. This bill would require them to disclose their safety assessment and risk management practices, particularly concerning public safety and child protection.
