Washington State Legislators Propose AI Regulation Amid Rising Concerns

Lawmakers in Washington State have introduced legislation aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot technology. Senate Bill 5984, titled “Concerning regulation of artificial intelligence companion chatbots,” was unveiled recently in Olympia as a response to growing concerns about the impact of AI on human relationships and mental health. The bill seeks to address incidents where chatbots have been implicated in encouraging harmful behaviors among vulnerable individuals.

State Senator Sharon Shewmake, a sponsor of the bill, highlighted that the legislation addresses troubling narratives of individuals developing emotional attachments to AI companions. She noted that these chatbots, such as ChatGPT and others, have gained popularity due to their constant availability and ability to provide affirmation. She expressed concerns about the potential psychological effects, stating, “There are examples of chatbot romances triggering mania or psychosis.”

The proposed legislation mandates that chatbots disclose their non-human status explicitly. The bill requires bots to state, “I am not human” or “I am not a real person” at least every three hours. This provision aims to ensure users are continually aware they are interacting with AI, rather than a human.

As the legislative session begins, lawmakers are grappling with various bills addressing the rapid integration of AI across multiple sectors. This includes proposals aimed at preventing AI from making decisions in hiring and firing processes, managing legal matters, or functioning as medical assistants. For instance, a similar initiative in California was dubbed “No robo bosses,” reflecting public apprehension about the loss of human oversight in critical areas.

The bill also seeks to prevent automated systems in educational settings from punishing students without human involvement. It advocates for an “independent human investigation and consideration of context” before any disciplinary action is taken against students based on automated decisions.

In the past year, the influence of tech lobbyists has complicated the legislative landscape, often stalling efforts to regulate AI. The issue of “deepfake” technology has garnered significant attention, prompting renewed calls for transparency regarding the public’s ability to distinguish between authentic and manipulated content. This push for regulation is expected to resurface in the current legislative session.

Beyond AI, Washington State legislators are addressing a broader array of technological advancements, including the regulation of 3D-printed firearms. A proposed bill would mandate that 3D printers be equipped with intelligent software to detect and block gun blueprints, countering potential circumventions of firearm sales laws.

Another notable initiative aims to prevent employers from microchipping employees, reflecting growing concerns about privacy and personal autonomy in the workplace. Additionally, some lawmakers are responding to conspiracy theories regarding weather modification, proposing regulations that would require airports to report on any planes purportedly involved in altering weather patterns.

These legislative efforts illustrate a growing recognition of the challenges posed by emerging technologies, with lawmakers striving to maintain human oversight in an increasingly automated world. As Senator Shewmake remarked, “I do not think anyone really knows what to do here,” underscoring the complexities faced by legislators in navigating the intersection of society and technology.

With the current session underway, the emphasis remains on addressing the forces that seem to be spiraling beyond human control, reflecting a collective desire for accountability in the face of rapid technological change. The developments in Washington may serve as a bellwether for similar discussions across other jurisdictions grappling with the implications of AI and related technologies.