Ventura legislation requiring human interaction transparency for AI chatbots through disclosure requirement passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Rachel Ventura that would require companies to disclose when consumers are interacting with an AI chatbot rather than a human representative passed the Senate Thursday.

“As artificial intelligence becomes more common in customer service, people are increasingly finding themselves trapped in frustrating conversations that lead nowhere,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “Consumers deserve transparency from the very beginning of an interaction. If someone is speaking to a chatbot instead of a real person, they have a right to know.”

Senate Bill 317 would require a company using an artificial intelligence chat interface to notify a consumer with a clear and conspicuous disclosure at the start of the interaction that the consumer is communicating with an automated system and not a human representative.

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Fine advances the Diaper Labeling Act

SPRINGFIELD – To make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand exactly what’s in the diapers they use every day, State Senator Laura Fine passed legislation that clarifies the ingredients in both disposable and reusable diapers.

“Parents and caregivers shouldn’t have to guess what’s in the products their children wear every day,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This bill ensures transparency, protects those with allergies and gives families the information they need to make safe choices.”

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Villa measure to protect students’ biometric data passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the growing threat of cyberattacks and data breaches targeting educational institutions, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure to secure students’ sensitive information.

“As schools rely more on technology, we must ensure strong safeguards are in place to mitigate potential risks,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Biometric data is highly personal, and students, teachers and community members should be least exposed to risk in their schools.”

Senate Bill 415 would prohibit school districts from acquiring and using biometric systems unless they are used for legitimate instructional purposes, limiting the collection and use of students’ data.

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Martwick’s measure to keep artificial intelligence from grading student work passes

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Robert Martwick’s legislation that would require students be graded by teachers and not artificial intelligence has passed.

“Decisions about grading and student assessment require oversight and fairness from trained professionals, not large language models prone to hallucination and implicit bias,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “We are in a new world where AI is trying to creep into every aspect of our lives. It is vital to place guardrails for our children to ensure they are protected in educational settings.”

Senate Bill 416 would prohibit teachers from using artificial intelligence to grade a student’s work. It also requires that any other use of AI in a classroom setting be approved by the school board.

Read more: Martwick’s measure to keep artificial intelligence from grading student work passes