N.Y.
General Business Law Section 1700
Definitions
1.
“Artificial intelligence”, “artificial intelligence technology”, or “AI” means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments, and that uses machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.2.
“Generative artificial intelligence” means a class of AI models that emulate the structure and characteristics of input data to generate derived synthetic content, including, but not limited to, images, videos, audio, text, and other digital content.3.
“AI model” means a component of an information system that implements artificial intelligence technology and uses computational, statistical, or machine-learning techniques to produce outputs from a given set of inputs.4.
(a) “AI companion” means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms designed to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by:(i)
retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion;(ii)
asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and(iii)
sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user.(b)
Human relationships include, but shall not be limited to, intimate, romantic or platonic interactions or companionship.(c)
“AI companion” shall not include:(i)
any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service;(ii)
any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or, research or technical assistance; or(iii)
any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.5.
“Operator” means any person, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates for or provides an AI companion to a user.6.
“Person” means any natural person.7.
“Emotional recognition algorithms” means artificial intelligence that detects and interprets human emotional signals in text (using natural language processing and sentiment analysis), audio (using voice emotion AI), video (using facial movement analysis, gait analysis, or physiological signals), or a combination thereof.8.
“User” means any person who uses an AI companion for personal use within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.9.
“Self-harm” means intentional self-injury with or without the intent to cause death. * NB Effective November 5, 2025
Source:
Section 1700 — Definitions, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GBS/1700 (updated May 16, 2025; accessed Jun. 21, 2025).
