Disruption

Lawmakers take targeted approach to regulate AI

They are keying in on specific issues and applications after comprehensive efforts failed.
Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove, left, and Democratic state Sen. Jerry McNerney watch as the votes are counted on a measure before the Senate, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

State efforts to enact comprehensive regulations for high-risk artificial intelligence systems have largely given way to a sector-by-sector approach. 

Legislators who tried in recent years to take broad strokes in setting up guardrails for the nascent industry largely came up short. This year they are taking a far more targeted approach, keying in on specific issues such as health care and applications such as chatbots.

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