Assembly committee advances bill saying developers can’t blame AI to avoid liability

Assemblymember Krell introduced Assembly Bill 316 on behalf of the Bridal and Consumer Protection Committee, asking members to approve a narrow rule clarifying that a developer or deployer of an AI system cannot avoid responsibility by asserting the AI acted autonomously.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill would preserve existing tort standards while removing a possible “escape hatch” for defendants who might otherwise claim that autonomous behavior absolves them of liability. Opponents urged caution, saying courts already possess tools to assign fault and the measure, as drafted, needs clearer definitions to avoid unintended liability.

Assemblymember Krell, the author, told the committee AB 316 “is a modest proposal… It does not change existing law in terms of liability. It does not create new ways to file lawsuits. What it does do is set up a guardrail… so defendants who could be sued by plaintiffs…