CHATBOT Act

Plain-English Summary: CHATBOT Act

The CHATBOT Act is a proposed federal law that would require artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots — the automated systems that carry on text or voice conversations with people online — to clearly identify themselves as non-human. The core idea is that when you are interacting with an AI program rather than a real person, the system should be upfront and honest about that fact. The bill appears aimed at preventing situations where people are misled into thinking they are talking with a human being when they are actually communicating with an automated computer program.

This bill would affect a wide range of people and industries. Everyday Americans who use online customer service chats, virtual assistants, or other AI-powered communication tools would be directly impacted, as they would have a clearer right to know when they are not speaking with a human. Businesses and organizations that use chatbot technology — including companies in retail, healthcare, finance, and tech — would need to ensure their AI systems properly disclose their automated nature to users.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which is the standard first step in the legislative process. At this stage, it is still in early consideration and has not yet been voted on. Because no official description was provided with this legislation, some specific details about enforcement, penalties, or exact requirements may not be fully captured here. As more details become available, the full scope of the bill's requirements may become clearer.