Imposes liability for damages caused by a chatbot impersonating certain licensed professionals

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Kristen Gonzalez says this is needed

Artificial intelligence (A.I.) has changed our world in more ways than we can imagine and continues to ever-evolve based on societal needs. According to a New York Times article published on February 24, 2025 titled Human Therapists Prepare for Battle Against A.I. Pretenders, the American Psychological Association warned that chatbots "failed to chal- lenge user's beliefs, even when they became dangerous; on the contrary they encouraged them," and added that if this advice was given by a human therapist those answers "could have resulted in the loss of a license to practice, or civil or criminal liability." This experience is not unique to users utilizing chatbots for therapy. One user asked a chatbot for medical advice, only to be given a fake doctor's name, but a doctor's real license number and other credentials to practice medicine. Another user who sought legal assistance acted upon the advice of a chatbot to reopen a lawsuit that was already settled and dismissed, including firing the user's lawyer and pursue the case using AI-generated motions and notices. These should not be viewed as isolated incidents, but rather are among a growing number of examples for why action is needed. This bill prohibits operators of A.I. chatbots from knowingly permitting the chatbot to impersonate an actual or fictitious practitioner of a covered profession in a manner that, if done by a natural person, would constitute unauthorized practice or unauthorized use of a professional title as a crime in relation to professions who licensure is governed by the education law or the judiciary law, or would constitute a violation for teaching without the required qualification. The covered professions include Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Nursing, Podiatry, Optometry, Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology, Architecture, Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Practi- tioners, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, and Attorneys. Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General may bring an action against an operator of that violates any unlawful practices under the bill, seek civil penalties of up to fifteen thousand dollars per day for violations and maintain a website to receive complaints, information or referrals from members of the public concerning violations. This bill ensures professional advice is provided only by licensed human profes- sionals and not by artificial intelligence or chatbots.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.