Source: State of California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

The State of California Department of Justice released a statement from Attorney General Rob Bonta, issuing a stark warning to companies developing and deploying artificial intelligence technologies. The Attorney General emphasized that these companies will be held strictly accountable under California law for any harm their products cause to children. The announcement serves as a clear notice to the burgeoning AI industry that compliance with the state's robust consumer and child protection laws is not optional. Bonta specifically referenced the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA), highlighting the legal obligations these statutes impose on businesses regarding the collection, use, and protection of minors' data, as well as the design of online services likely to be accessed by them.

Attorney General Bonta’s warning details several potential areas of harm, including the exposure of children to inappropriate content, the amplification of mental health issues through addictive algorithms, and the violation of privacy rights through unauthorized data collection. He stressed that claiming ignorance or a lack of control over the AI's outputs will not be a viable defense. The press release signals a proactive enforcement posture, indicating that the Attorney General's office is actively monitoring the AI sector for practices that could endanger the well-being of young people. This directive places a significant legal onus on AI developers to implement rigorous safety measures, conduct thorough risk assessments, and prioritize the best interests of children in the design and operation of their technologies to avoid facing substantial legal and financial repercussions in California.