HB26-1263 addresses the demonstrated harm of conversational AI interactions
DENVER, CO – Today, Representatives Sean Camacho (D-Denver) and Javier Mabrey (D-Denver), along with Senators Jodeh (D-Aurora) and Carson (R-Highlands Ranch), introduced HB26-1263, Protecting AI Chatbot Users from Harm, to take action and quickly address the clear and present danger of unregulated adoption of conversational AI, particularly for youth in Colorado.
The Age of Artificial Intelligence is upon us, and across Colorado, people of all ages are adopting this powerful technology as a tool to support their work, their education, and increasingly, for companionship and emotional support. Conversational AI services – often called AI chatbots – are designed to interact with users in a manner that simulates natural, human-like interactions, blurring the line between real and artificial. Yet unlike humans, conversational AI services do not have a sense of duty to protect and, under current law, can cause harm without meaningful consequences.
HB26-1263 is a bipartisan effort to implement common-sense, technologically feasible protections and basic safety standards so that the potential benefits of AI can continue to expand while minimizing the risks of harm and exploitation.
“As a parent, I worry every day about the consequences my kids will face if the rapid deployment of AI technology continues unchecked,” shared Rep. Sean Camacho (D-Denver). “This legislation aligns with Safe AI for Children Alliance (SAIFCA)’s three non-negotiables for protecting children from AI harm. Now is the time to act so that every young person in Colorado under the age of 18 knows when they’re interacting with artificial intelligence.”
“It isn’t a secret that billion-dollar tech companies stand to profit from the gamification of our everyday interactions with AI technology,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey (D-Denver). “It’s past time we modernize our laws to make sure our kids and neighbors are protected from exploitation when using conversational AI technology.”
“We cannot afford to ‘wait and see’ before taking action to protect people in Colorado, particularly our youth, from the growing threat of conversational AI,” said Sen. Iman Jodeh (D-Aurora). “I’m proud to co-sponsor this bi-partisan legislation to hold tech giants accountable and fight for the safety of all AI users.”
“The evidence is there: conversational AI has been shown to encourage suicidal ideation and expose young users to sexually explicit content. Protecting Colorado youth transcends partisanship; my colleagues and I are coming together to pass common-sense regulations so that AI users can trust that the technology is continuing to develop with their safety in mind,” added Sen. John Carson (R-Highlands Ranch).
“Healthier Colorado applauds the bipartisan sponsors of HB26-1263 for taking action to protect our communities from the very real harms that conversational AI can present to our health and well-being–particularly for young people,” said Joshua Ewing, Executive Director of Healthier Colorado. “AI technologies are developing too rapidly for the average user to track and that’s why we believe it is time for common-sense guardrails that protect Coloradans.”