THE THREAT OF
AI LAW PREEMPTION
Child Harms
AI chatbots provided by frontier US AI labs have regularly encouraged teens to commit self-harm and even suicide.
AI law preemption threatens to strike down state laws requiring frontier models to create guardrails that protect children online.
At a recent Senate hearing on AI’s child harms, parents of victims urged Congress not to pass state law preemption.
No Accountability for Tech
73% of voters believe AI companies should be held liable for harms from technology they create.
State lawmakers are best positioned to provide consumers with the tools to hold big AI labs accountable.
Threats to Democracy
AI enables realistic deepfakes, fake news, and automated propaganda that can mislead voters.
States have passed new disclosure and labeling requirements for AI-generated political content, protections that would be threatened by state law preemption.
Misinformation
AI tools have fueled and amplified conspiracy theories about recent acts of political violence.
Recent research finds that AI chatbots are highly susceptible to medical misinformation for patients seeking advice.
THE REALITY OF
SECTION 230
Child Harms
Section 230 has shielded platforms from liability even when they knowingly host content that endangers children, from exploitation to addictive design features.
With no legal incentive to act, companies have dragged their feet on protecting kids and removing harmful content.
No Accountability for Tech
Unlike newspapers or broadcasters, tech giants face no liability for harmful content they amplify because of Section 230.
Blanket immunity has let a handful of platforms become dominant gatekeepers without any accountability.
Threats to Democracy
Section 230 has enabled platforms to host election misinformation with little accountability.
• The flood of fake content and propaganda erodes trust in democratic institutions and undermines informed civic debate.
Misinformation
Platforms profit from viral falsehoods but avoid accountability because Section 230 protects them from lawsuits.
The end result is the unchecked spread of conspiracy theories and false health and election claims.
