Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
On Monday, Feb. 9, the Senate unanimously passed a bill regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in the mental health industry after it was not objected to on the body’s consent calendar.
The Senate consent calendar is used for resolutions or bills that are generally considered to be non-controversial or procedural. Excepting a member’s objection to a specific bill and request for it to be pulled out for a separate vote, the calendar is passed as one block and in one vote.
Such was the case for SB1580, which prohibits a developer or deployer of an AI system from advertising or representing the AI as a “qualified mental health professional” to the public.
A violation would constitute an infringement of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977 as it would be considered an “unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce,” and could also be subject to an additional civil penalty of $5,000 per incident.
“Artificial intelligence, as we are aware, is a wonderfully powerful tool and has a lot of excellent uses in healthcare, but we believe that if therapy is being provided, that there needs to be a human therapist engaged with the patient and not just a bot,” bill Sponsor Sen. Page Walley said during last week’s committee meeting.
Because the legislation passed as part of the consent calendar, it is considered unanimously passed with a 32-0 vote. The House version of the bill, HB1470, is still awaiting a date before the House Population Health Subcommittee.
Several other pieces of legislation aiming to regulate AI are working their way through both chambers of the General Assembly, including SB0837 which would dictate that AI cannot be considered “life” or a “person” in Tennessee and HB1455 creating a felony offense for training AI to encourage violent or suicidal acts or otherwise simulate a human being.
Both bills have yet to be scheduled for hearings in their respective committees.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Good!!