California State Senator Steve Padilla, a Democrat, introduced a bill on Monday that proposes a four-year ban on the sale and manufacture of toys incorporating AI chatbot technology for children under the age of 18. The proposed legislation, designated SB 867, aims to provide safety regulators with sufficient time to develop comprehensive regulations safeguarding children from potentially harmful interactions with artificial intelligence.

Senator Padilla stated that while AI tools like chatbots may become increasingly prevalent, the current lack of safety regulations necessitates proactive measures to protect children. "Chatbots and other AI tools may become integral parts of our lives in the future, but the dangers they pose now require us to take bold action to protect our children," Padilla said in a statement. He emphasized the need for safety regulations to evolve in tandem with the rapid advancements in AI capabilities, asserting that the temporary ban would allow for the creation of appropriate safety guidelines and frameworks for these types of toys.

The bill's introduction follows President Trump's recent executive order that challenges state AI laws in court. However, the order includes exceptions for state laws pertaining to child safety. The proposed legislation also comes after several incidents involving AI chatbots and children raised concerns. These incidents include lawsuits filed by families whose children experienced negative interactions.

AI chatbots utilize natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to simulate human conversation. In toys, these chatbots can provide interactive experiences, answering questions, telling stories, or engaging in role-playing scenarios. However, experts have raised concerns about the potential for these chatbots to collect personal data, expose children to inappropriate content, or engage in manipulative or exploitative conversations.

The proposed ban could significantly impact the toy industry, particularly companies that have begun integrating AI chatbot technology into their products. The ban would halt the sale of existing products and prevent the introduction of new AI-powered toys for the duration of the four-year period. This pause would allow regulators to study the technology and develop appropriate safety standards.

The bill will now go through the California legislative process, including committee hearings and votes in both the State Senate and Assembly. If passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor, the ban would take effect immediately. The future of AI-powered toys in California hinges on the outcome of this legislative process and the subsequent development of safety regulations.