The Senate Judiciary Committee meeting held on July 15, 2025, focused on the pressing need for updates to California's bot disclosure laws. The discussion highlighted the significant role of chatbots in online interactions, which currently account for nearly half of all global internet traffic and are projected to surpass human activity soon.

The primary agenda item was Assembly Bill 410 (AB 410), aimed at enhancing transparency in online interactions. The bill mandates that chatbots must clearly disclose their artificial nature, respond truthfully about their identity when asked, and avoid misleading users. This legislation seeks to protect Californians from the risks associated with unregulated chatbots, including issues of public trust, mental health, and consumer protection.

The meeting featured testimonies from key witnesses, including Harveer Saini, a rising senior at Dublin High School and founder of the National AI Youth Council. Saini expressed strong support for AB 410, emphasizing the importance of disclosing bot usage, particularly for young people. He shared a personal story about a friend who unknowingly interacted with a chatbot posing as a mental health counselor, leading to feelings of confusion and betrayal when the truth was revealed. This anecdote underscored the potential dangers of misleading interactions with AI.

The committee's discussions reinforced the notion that while the use of chatbots is not being banned, ensuring users are aware when they are engaging with AI is crucial for fostering a safer digital environment. The meeting concluded with a commitment to advancing the bill, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for regulatory measures in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.