Edly-Allen advances AI safety transparency to protect minors and prevent harm

SPRINGFIELD – A 2024 survey found over 60% of teens use artificial intelligence (AI) tools regularly, raising concerns about exposure to harmful content and unsafe interactions. With AI rapidly shaping daily life, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen proposed new legislation to ensure stronger safeguards for minors and the public.

“Companies are moving quickly to deploy increasingly powerful AI systems, driven by incentives for speed, scale and market dominance. But the incentives to ensure safety, especially for our children, are not keeping pace,” said Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake). “Power has to be matched with wisdom and accountability. If companies are developing powerful AI tools, they need to take responsibility for how those tools impact people, especially children and we need to act urgently.”  

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Edly-Allen advances comprehensive AI safeguards to protect children, ensure transparency and prevent high-risk harms

SPRINGFIELD – According to a 2025 report from Common Sense Media, nearly one in three teens report interacting with AI companions, raising concerns about the potential for manipulation, overreliance and unsafe interactions. As AI tools become more prevalent in daily life, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen is working to ensure guardrails are in place to keep Illinois residents, especially young people safe.

“Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than our laws, and we have a responsibility to ensure innovation doesn’t come at the expense of safety,” said Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake). “These measures are about putting thoughtful protections in place so families can trust the technology their children are using.”

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Edly-Allen targets harmful AI “companionship” features to protect users

SPRINGFIELD – As AI-powered software applications designed to simulate human conversation through text or voice commands, also known as “companion” chatbots, grow in popularity, concerns are rising about these AI tools’ impact on mental health. Studies show young people who rely heavily on AI for emotional support are more likely to report social isolation and dependency behaviors, leading State Senator Mary Edly-Allen to advance new legislation to address those risks.

“It took Facebook 10 years to reach 100 million users. It took ChatGPT just two months to reach the same,” said Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake). “The risks are not just about what children see on a screen. The risks are about systems that can interact with them, influence them, and, in some cases, replace human connection with something that feels real, but is not accountable, not fully understood, and not always safe.”

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AI-manipulated evidence in family court cases addressed under Edly-Allen bill

SPRINGFIELD – A recent study found deepfake-related fraud attempts increased by over 3,000% in recent years, highlighting growing risks across sectors. With the rise of artificial intelligence introducing new challenges in the courtroom, including manipulated or fabricated evidence, State Senator Mary Edly-Allen is seeking to ensure that courts are equipped to handle these challenges.

Throughout her tenure, Edly-Allen has remained a champion on tackling deepfakes and the negative consequences impacting victims, ensuring survivors have pathways to protect themselves legally.

“Unlike social media, where content is created by other users, AI systems can generate an endless stream of tailored influence, making it harder than ever for users to distinguish what is real and what is manipulated,” said Edly-Allen (D-Grayslake). “We have to make sure that decisions about children and families are based on truthful, verified information. No one should lose custody or face legal consequences because of manipulated evidence.”

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