AI bill targeting chatbot risks, child safety passes CT state Senate

Connecticut's state Senate has passed a bill targeting chatbot risks and child safety, and — stop me if you've heard this one — it's about as toothless as a pensioner at a punk gig. The bill includes 'expanded whistleblower protections' for AI workers who report risks described as 'catastrophic,' which is lovely, except the 'catastrophic' threshold is so high that practically nothing qualifies. So a whistleblower whose employer is quietly building a model that could automate 30,000 jobs? Sorry, mate — not catastrophic enough to mention. But thank goodness for child safety provisions: Connecticut is banging its fist on the table about kids seeing scary chatbot content, while the actual catastrophic-risk debate gets punted to some advisory council that won't convene for six months. Lovely priorities. Last week we noted the state's equally excited deepfake election crackdown — that bill is also real teeth, like a smiling baby. Meanwhile, the phrase 'whistleblower protections' sounds brave until you realize the worker has to prove the risk is 'catastrophic,' which is corporate America for 'good luck getting your legal fees back.' The bill is now heading to the House, where we can all pretend this isn't just another performative pat on the back for a state that wants to be seen doing something without actually risking upsetting any AI lab's business model. Gad, I need a brew.