Technical

chatbot

Software that simulates human conversation via text or voice.

How the laws define this

Regulators consistently define a chatbot as a software application or automated system designed to conduct interactive dialogue by simulating human conversation through text or voice inputs. However, these instruments diverge on the underlying technologies and functional capabilities required to trigger regulation. Missouri Senate Bill 1019 (2024) - Research Discrepancy Regarding AI Therapy Chatbots focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing used to simulate conversation specifically in lieu of direct contact with a live human agent. In contrast, the Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act established; enforcement; civil penalties; individual action sets technical criteria requiring that the system maintain a conversational state across exchanges, handle open-ended or multimodal inputs, and produce adaptive content not fully predetermined by an operator. Meanwhile, the Explanatory Note on Chatbots (ChatGPT Example) (Sohbet Robotları (ChatGPT Örneği) Hakkında Bilgi Notu) highlights the operational aspect of interactive interfaces, defining chatbots by their ability to collect user inputs and interaction logs for processing.

Synthesised from the 3 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first. Showing 2 of the 3 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
Turkey	Explanatory Note on Chatbots (ChatGPT Example)	In Force	Adds emphasis on enabling interactive dialogue and collecting inputs and interaction logs for processing, unlike the others.
Virginia, United States	Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act established; enforcement; civil penalties; individual action.	Under Review	Specifies three technical criteria: producing new content, accepting open-ended input for adaptive output, and maintaining conversational state across multi-turn dialogue.

What it triggers

Turkey's Explanatory Note on Chatbots sets out guidance on data minimization, security, and impact assessments.source
Under Virginia SB 796, which is under review, operators would mandate age verification for minors and a duty of loyalty to ensure user safety.

Definitions (3)

A software application that simulates human conversation through text or voice via an interface, enabling interactive dialogue with users and collecting inputs and interaction logs for processing.

Explanatory Note on Chatbots (ChatGPT Example) (Sohbet Robotları (ChatGPT Örneği) Hakkında Bilgi Notu)Definition 1 of 3

Any artificial intelligence, algorithmic, or automated system that (i) produces new expressive content or responses not fully predetermined by the developer or operator, (ii) accepts open-ended natural-language or multimodal user input and produces adaptive or context-responsive output, and (iii) maintains a conversational state across exchanges to facilitate multi-turn dialogue.

Artificial Intelligence Chatbots and Minors Act established; enforcement; civil penalties; individual action.Definition 2 of 3

A chatbot is an AI-powered software application used to conduct an online chat conversation via text or text-to-speech, in lieu of direct contact with a live human agent. Chatbots are designed to simulate human conversation through artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing.

Missouri Senate Bill 1019 (2024) - Research Discrepancy Regarding AI Therapy ChatbotsDefinition 3 of 3

Not to be confused with

artificial intelligence chatbot

Artificial intelligence chatbot limits to text or audio simulation, while these definitions include voice and additional functional or technical aspects.

AI conversation model

AI conversation model refers to underlying machine-learning models for generating or interpreting language, not the full conversational software application.

Questions and answers

What data processing rules apply to chatbots in Turkey?

Turkey's Explanatory Note on Chatbots guides developers and deployers on processing personal data. It sets out guidance on data minimization, security, and impact assessments.

What protections does Virginia law propose for minors using AI chatbots?

Virginia SB 796, under review, would mandate age verification for minors interacting with AI chatbots. It introduces a duty of loyalty for operators to ensure user safety.

How do these chatbot definitions differ in scope?

Definition 1 adds collection of inputs and logs for processing. Definition 2 requires producing new content, adaptive responses to open-ended input, and multi-turn state maintenance.