Iowa law puts labeling, AI reminder requirements on conversational chatbots New legislation in Iowa puts guidelines on AI chatbots. Senate File 2417 passed unanimously in the House and Senate, meaning chatbots like Claude and ChatGPT must disclose to young users that they are not human, and refrain from encouraging kids to extend conversations. Moreover, a labeling requirement says chatbots must clearly label AI content and distinguish between things created by humans and generative models. As quoted in the Des Moines Register, Republican state Senator Kara Warme says “the main goal of SF 2417 is to make chatbots safer for users, especially children, by making them more transparent and less deceptive.” “We see a lot of value in human connection, and so we want to make sure it’s clear whether you are interacting with a human or something that’s technology or computer based.” The regulation is not extraordinary – many jurisdictions are considering restrictions on chatbots, as pressure mounts from parents and civil society for regulation to address the problem. But the sentiment in Warme’s statement is only now beginning to surface as a political issue – namely, that human connection is something that must be preserved and cannot be replaced by AI. No mental health counseling, no sex from chatbots The more extreme risks of going too deep with chatbots have been well documented, and Iowa’s law prohibits them from offering mental or psychological health counseling or advice, and requires them to refer any user presenting risks of suicide or self harm to professionals. Chatbots can’t produce sexually explicit visual media, encourage children to engage in sexually explicit acts, or sexually objectify minors. The section of the law addressing the not-human reminder feature specifies that “an operator shall clearly and conspicuously disclose using a persistent visible disclaimer, or a disclaimer