Record STMT-WF614C5Legally binding

Assembly Bill No. 316

Legislation State lawNorthern America · USadopted

Assembly Bill No. 316 adds Section 1714.46 to the California Civil Code, prohibiting defendants who develop, modify, or use artificial intelligence from asserting that the AI autonomously caused harm to a plaintiff as a legal defense. The legislation provides a formal definition of artificial intelligence and clarifies that defendants remain permitted to present other affirmative defenses, evidence regarding causation or foreseeability, or evidence of comparative fault.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

California State LegislatureLegislature · US

Lead issuer

Office of the Governor of CaliforniaGovernment (executive) · US

Endorser

Legal forceLegally binding

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

RegulatorsCompaniesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersResearchers and academics

Legal practitioners, AI developers, and defendants operating in California who need to understand liability rules concerning AI systems.

Sectors

Cross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The legislation establishes a specific statutory rule for civil actions in California involving artificial intelligence, barring the defense of autonomous harm while permitting standard comparative fault and causation arguments.

What's missing

The text does not specify technical safety standards, licensing requirements, or penalties beyond addressing civil liability defenses.

Key takeaways

Defendants cannot escape liability by claiming that an AI system autonomously caused harm to a plaintiff.
The statute defines artificial intelligence as an engineered or machine-based system that can generate outputs influencing physical or virtual environments.
Defendants retain the right to present other affirmative defenses, including evidence relevant to causation, foreseeability, or comparative fault.

Outline

· SECTION 1. Section 1714.46 is added to the Civil Code
  - (a) Definition of artificial intelligence
  - (b) Prohibition of autonomous causation defense
  - (c) Preservation of other affirmative defenses and comparative fault evidence

Issued13 October 2025

Length468 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopesubnational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

it shall not be a defense, and the defendant may not assert, that the artificial intelligence autonomously caused the harm to the plaintiff.

SECTION 1

screening score · 2026-10-24

Fairness

0/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

SECTION 1

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

0/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

SECTION 1

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

0/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

SECTION 1

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

0/5

Protection of personal data and private life

SECTION 1

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

0/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

SECTION 1

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

0/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

SECTION 1

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

0/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

SECTION 1

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

artificial_intelligence civil_liability legal_defenses tort_law ai_governance