The California AI Definition Law (AB 2885) establishes a single legal definition of artificial intelligence used across California statutes. It has been in effect since January 1, 2025, and it functions as the foundation for the state’s wider body of AI legislation.
What the California AI Definition Law Says
Under the statute, artificial intelligence means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments. That single definition now applies wherever California law refers to AI.
Why It Matters for Businesses
The law imposes no direct obligations on businesses. It is foundational, though, because most of California’s other AI laws hang on this definition. Compliance analysis for any California AI law starts here, since whether a product counts as AI under this definition determines whether the rest of the state’s AI rules apply to it.
Source: California Legislative Information: AB 2885
Report a violation: If you believe a business is violating this law, you can file a complaint with the California Attorney General Consumer Protection.
