California Regulates AI Chatbots in Healthcare

By Dr. Helena Fischer - Editor, Health

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January 22, 2026 5:24 am

California Regulates AI Chatbots in Healthcare

1. California Leads the Way in AI Governance with new Laws

2. AB 489:⁢ Protecting Patients from Misleading ⁣Medical AI

California Leads the Way in AI Governance with new Laws

California is at the forefront of regulating artificial intelligence (AI) ⁤with two new laws, AB 489 and SB 243, designed⁢ to‌ address the ⁤unique risks⁤ posed by increasingly sophisticated AI systems. Both laws acknowledge that AI, ⁢despite ‍its potential ‌benefits, will inevitably encounter limitations and require careful oversight.These regulations aim to ⁤protect consumers from misleading details and potential harm,especially in sensitive areas like healthcare and emotional well-being.

AB 489:⁢ Protecting Patients from Misleading ⁣Medical AI

AB 489,effective January ⁢1,2026,specifically targets AI systems that create the impression of medical expertise ⁢without possessing actual medical credentials. Many health and wellness chatbots ⁤utilize language and design elements that mimic clinical settings, possibly leading users to believe‌ they ⁢are receiving advice ⁣from a ⁣qualified healthcare‌ professional.‍ The American Medical ⁣Association has expressed concerns⁣ about the potential for these chatbots to ⁢provide inaccurate ⁣or harmful medical information.

The⁣ law⁣ prohibits AI systems‍ from ‍using titles, terminology, or representations that suggest licensed medical expertise ‌unless that‍ expertise is genuinely ⁣present. For exmaple

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Dr. Helena Fischer - Editor, Health

Full Name: Dr. Helena Fischer Role: Editor, Health Category: Health Location: Berlin, Germany Education: MD, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Experience: 11+ years in medical journalism and internal medicine Expertise: Public health, infectious diseases, healthcare policy, medical innovation Awards: European Health Journalism Award 2023 Professional Affiliations: Member, European Association of Science Editors Languages: German (native), English (fluent), Spanish (conversational) Bio: Dr. Helena Fischer is a respected physician and health journalist with over a decade of experience in internal medicine and science communication. She holds an MD from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Dr. Fischer is passionate about public health, medical innovation, and making complex medical topics accessible to all. As Editor of the Health section at World Today Journal, she is dedicated to providing readers with accurate, up-to-date health news and expert analysis.