National non-profit consumer organization pushes for states to regulate AI

National non-profit consumer organization pushes for states to regulate AI

From Small Business "Backbone" Podcast by Frank Knapp

January 22, 2026 · 25 min · Season 2 · Episode 1

About this episode

Ben Winters discusses the need for state regulation of AI to protect consumers and introduces the People-First Chatbot model bill.

Ben Winters, Director of AI and Data Privacy at the Consumer Federation of America, leads his 57-year old organization’s efforts to have states regulate artificial intelligence to protect the public. Winters argues that there is no better time for states to regulate AI to address problems ranging from algorithms used to recommend actions impacting consumers, deep fake images, utilization of personal information for marketing, and AI generated interactions with the public including children. His organization has just released the People-First Chatbot model bill that states can modify. Included in the bill is giving the private right of action when the AI products harm consumers. This product liability is a critical need for states to pass. Big tech companies have already said in court that they are not liable for the harm their product causes.

People in this episode

Host: Frank Knapp

Guest: Ben Winters

Topics covered

  • AI regulation
  • consumer protection
  • data privacy
  • artificial intelligence
  • big tech accountability

Keywords

  • AI regulation
  • consumer protection
  • data privacy
  • People-First Chatbot
  • big tech liability

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Consumer Federation of America

Products: People-First Chatbot model bill

Places: United States

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