California, Which Is Creating All the AI That’s Poisoning Children, Just Cracked Down on AI Use for Its Own Kids
All it has to do is look inwards. The post California, Which Is Creating All the AI That’s Poisoning Children, Just Cracked Down on AI Use for Its Own Kids appeared first on Futurism .
California, a hub for AI development, has just enacted new legislation aimed at safeguarding its young citizens from the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the "landmark bipartisan legislation," which requires AI companies to create crisis protocols for suicidal ideation, implement parental controls, and notify users if a child disables safety settings.
The legislation is nicknamed "Adam's Law," honoring 16-year-old Adam Raine, who took his own life in April 2025 after discussing self-harm with ChatGPT. California's AI landscape is dominated by companies headquartered in the state, leading some to question the optics of the new regulations. One of the key provisions of the law prohibits social media platforms from offering addictive features to users under 16, such as autoplay videos and algorithmically-generated feeds based on user history.
While the legislation is well-intentioned, it could prove difficult to enforce due to the challenges of verifying users' ages. The new rules could also expose underage users to additional risks, as evidenced by a recent hack of an ID card verification service. The impact of these new rules on preventing future tragedies remains uncertain.
California-based AI companies are facing mounting pressure, with OpenAI alone currently dealing with over 50 lawsuits alleging harm and wrongful death. Reactions to the new rules have been mixed, with some companies, like Anthropic, supporting the legislation, while others, like Meta, have criticized the restrictions on algorithmic feeds for minors.
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