California bill on AI's use of licensed medical titles
The state of California has enacted Assembly Bill No. 489 (AB 489), which introduces new regulatory constraints on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) in healthcare contexts. The law prohibits AI systems and their developers or deployers from using words, phrases or credentials that falsely imply the involvement of a licensed healthcare professional—such as referring to a tool as a “doctor,” “M.D.,” or other terms suggesting formal licensure. Each instance of misuse constitutes a separate violation and is enforceable by relevant professional licensing boards, which may seek injunctions and other legal remedies. The legislation reflects California’s proactive stance on AI-governance in health tech and underscores obligations for transparency, accuracy in advertising and tool design, and the avoidance of misleading representations of professional credentials.