California Uniform Definition of Artificial Intelligence (AB 2885)
California · AB 2885, Stats. 2024 (definition codified at Cal. Gov. Code 11546.45.5)
This is a definitional clean-up bill rather than a regulatory one. It establishes a single, consistent statutory meaning of artificial intelligence and applies that uniform definition across several parts of California law, so different statutes stop using inconsistent definitions. On its own it imposes no obligations or penalties.
Technical detail
AB 2885 harmonizes the statutory definition of 'artificial intelligence' across multiple California codes, anchoring it to Cal. Gov. Code 11546.45.5: an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from its input how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.
Who is protected: Not applicable; the measure is definitional.
Who must comply: Not applicable; no compliance obligations are imposed by the definition itself.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-28 |
| Citation | AB 2885, Stats. 2024 (definition codified at Cal. Gov. Code 11546.45.5) |
| Enforced by | None (definitional statute). |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Topics | consumer protection |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | California AB 2885 (2023-2024): Artificial intelligence ↗ |
More AI rules in California
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1298 (2012 AV authorization) · In effect
- CA AB 856 (2015 drone trespass) · In effect
- California Bot Disclosure Act (bots must self-identify in sales/election messaging) · In effect
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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