Hawaiʻi expected to regulate AI being used by children - Hawaii Public Radio

Hawaii lawmakers will vote on a bill that would require AI operators to post visible disclaimers for users, especially minors, to clarify that they are not interacting with a human. The legislation, reported by Hawaii Public Radio on May 6, 2026, aims to address concerns about children being misled by AI systems. The bill would mandate that disclaimers be prominently displayed in a clear and accessible manner.

The specific requirements of the bill include that the disclaimers must be visible and understandable for the intended audience. The legislation targets operators of AI systems that interact with users, with a particular focus on protecting minors. The vote is expected in the coming weeks, though the exact timeline has not been specified. The bill does not impose restrictions on AI functionality or training data.

This legislative effort follows similar moves in other states to regulate AI interactions with children. Hawaii's approach focuses on transparency rather than content restrictions. The bill's passage would make Hawaii one of the first states to require such disclaimers specifically for minors. Industry groups and privacy advocates are closely watching the outcome.