| The Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee advanced a comprehensive bill package on Monday that encourages responsible growth of technology – while protecting the rights of consumers, professionals and companies. From commerce to advertising and from elections to companionship, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the way that people consume information, go about their daily business, and form relationships. The legislation passed in committee today would ensure that New Jersey has measures in place to protect New Jersey residents across a broad spectrum of industries and applications. “As generative AI becomes more commonplace, it’s more important than ever to have safeguards in place to protect New Jerseyans from being duped or deceived,” said Assemblyman Chris Tully, Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. “The bills we advanced focus on deceptive advertising, disclosure that a user is not interacting with a human and creating common sense policies. All with the goal of protecting everyday New Jerseyans as we move further into a digital future.” The committee advanced the following bills: Bill A4732 would require artificial intelligence companion chatbots to provide clear and conspicuous notifications that users are not communicating with a human. The use of these chatbots has become increasingly prevalent and there is growing use amongst vulnerable populations, including teens and seniors. There is a growing concern about the effects of companion chatbots on users, including impacts on mental health and real-world relationships. Assembly members Marisa Sweeney, Dave Bailey, Jr. and Linda Carter sponsored the legislation. Bill A4728 would regulate deceptive use of artificial intelligence in photo advertising of certain dwellings. Specifically, the bill would prohibit the use of generative AI or photo editing software to deceptively alter listing images, with the exception of photos with staged furniture. It would also require photos used in advertising dwelling units or dwelling sites to reflect the actual, current state of the dwelling unit or dwelling site. Assemblywomen Carmen Morales and Mitchelle Drulis and Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz sponsored Bill A4728. As more people rely on generative AI for information, experts warn that elections are uniquely vulnerable to AI-driven disinformation. Bill A4729 would require disclosure to be made when generative artificial intelligence is used to operate chatbots that provide election-related information. The legislation aims to safeguard transparency for voters and individuals seeking accurate election information. Assembly members Robert Karabinchak, Ellen Park and Avi Schnall sponsored the legislation. Bill A4731 would direct professional and occupational boards to promulgate rules for licensee use of generative AI. Specifically, the bill would direct the Division of Consumer Affairs to create a model policy governing the use of generative AI by licensed professionals across New Jersey’s regulatory boards. The boards would then be able to use that model policy to create and adopt policies for their professions, putting guardrails in place to ensure that professionals use generative AI in ethical and fair ways to best benefit their clients, patients or customers. Assembly members Tennille R. McCoy, Balvir Singh and Luanne Peterpaul sponsored the bill. While a lot of people believe they are good at identifying when they are interacting with AI content or systems, studies show that the actual number who can correctly identify this is much lower. Bill A4730 would require a person or entity to notify certain consumers when communicating with generative AI to engage in trade or commerce that they are not interacting with humans. The legislation would increase transparency and help reduce the instances of deceptive business practices. Assemblymen Tully, William Sampson and William F. Moen, Jr. sponsored the legislation. |