California AB 316 (defendants can't blame the AI for acting on its own)
California AB 316 (2025) — No 'Autonomous AI' Defense in Civil Liability Actions
California · Cal. Civ. Code 1714.46 (AB 316, 2025)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- January 1, 2026
- Applies to
- Defendants who developed, modified, or used the AI at issue (developers, deployers, users).
- Enforced by
- California courts (the rule applies within private civil litigation).
This law closes a potential loophole in lawsuits involving artificial intelligence. If someone develops, modifies, or uses an AI system that causes harm, they cannot escape liability by arguing that the AI acted autonomously or on its own.
Who is protected: Plaintiffs in California civil actions who allege harm caused by an AI system.
Legal detail
AB 316 adds Cal. Civ. Code 1714.46, providing that in a civil action against a defendant who developed, modified, or used AI that allegedly caused harm, the defendant may not assert as a defense that the AI autonomously caused the harm.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | October 11, 2025 |
| Citation | Cal. Civ. Code 1714.46 (AB 316, 2025) |
| Penalties | No standalone penalty; it is a liability rule removing a specific defense. |
| Topics | consumer protection |
| Bill text | AB-316 Artificial intelligence: defenses |
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 1168 — data center grid cost allocation · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 1119 Adam's Law, companion chatbots (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 867 AI chatbot toy moratorium (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · 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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