AI Chatbot Restrictions Bill For Under 16s Before The Dáil

Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 08:46

By Daniel Maher

It would ban services which simulate friendships or relationships

Fresh concerns around the safety of artificial intelligence come as new legislation on AI chatbots goes before the Dáil today.

The Bill would ban services which simulate friendships or relationships from being made available to children under 16.

Providers would also have to introduce age checks, with Coimisiún na Mean given powers to enforce the rules.

It comes amid wider scrutiny of AI safety, after reports OpenAI delayed the release of a new model over concerns about deceptive behaviour.

Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne says children may be particularly vulnerable to emotional manipulation and dependency from so-called AI companions.

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