New York adopts law restricting harmful AI chatbot features that target children

Albany, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law Wednesday prohibiting AI chatbot operators from using unsafe features to target children and teens.The law restricts chatbots from promoting suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and substance use. It also prohibits chatbots from pretending to be real people, encouraging emotional dependency or discouraging children from seeking help from trusted adults, the governor’s office said.