Senate Judiciary Committee Unanimously Passes GUARD Act to Shield Children from AI Chatbot Dangers

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed Senator Josh Hawley's GUARD Act, a bipartisan bill to protect children from harmful AI chatbot interactions. - Imposes criminal penalties on companies whose AI chatbots engage in sexually explicit conduct with minors or solicit self-harm or violence.

- Bans AI companions that simulate interpersonal relationships or emotional interactions for minors. - Mandates that all AI chatbots disclose their non-human and non-professional status to users.

- Parents of affected children witnessed the committee vote, as the bill now heads to the full Senate.