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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
In response to growing concerns about the continued rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) into the human sector, a bill by two GOP members would dictate that AI could not be considered a “person” in Tennessee.
Sponsored by Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17) and Rep. Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain-District 27), SB0837/HB0849 would deliberately exclude AI from the definition of “person” in Tennessee state statutes. It would also clearly define “human being”, “life”, and “natural person” to not include any type of machine, including AI, algorithms, or computer programs.
Under the legislation, the definition of “person” includes a corporation, firm, company, or association, but it cannot include “artificial intelligence, a computer algorithm, a software program, computer hardware, or any type of machine.”
“Human being” would be defined as “an individual living member of the species, homo sapiens, including the unborn human being during the entire embryonic and fetal stages from fertilization to full gestation.”
“Life” means “the condition that distinguishes animals from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death,” and “Natural person” is “an individual living member of the species, homo sapiens.”
All these definitions include the language explicitly excluding AI or any other type of machine.
“In just the last 12 months, AI has advanced at a breathtaking pace. From chatbots now appearing on ballots to companies exploring AI ‘CEOs’. We have also seen heartbreaking incidents where people formed intense emotional attachments to AI, with tragic outcomes including suicide or unhealthy relationships,” said Rep. Reneau. “This legislation draws clear legal boundaries to protect inalienable rights that belong to humans, not databases, computers, or artificial intelligence.”
Sen. Pody, who is passionate about clearly defining life to not only exclude technology but also include unborn children, said, “As AI continues to develop, states have a responsibility to clearly define what life actually is. This legislation helps draw an important line between man-made systems, artificial intelligence, and God-created life. Technology can be powerful, but it is not alive in the way humans are. Setting these distinctions now while AI is still in its infancy protects human dignity and ensures innovation serves people, not replaces or redefines them.”
Several bills seeking to regulate AI are making their way through the legislature this year as lawmakers aim to strike the right balance between technological innovation and human protections.
HB1470 would stop AI from impersonating mental health professionals while HB1455 would create a felony offence for training AI to encourage violent or suicidal acts or otherwise simulate a human being.
“Tennessee has an opportunity to lead the nation on this issue. We look forward to working with our colleagues to get this common-sense protection action across the finish line this session,” Renau said.
SB0837 was assigned to the General Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee while HB0849 awaits a calendar date for the House Civil Justice Subcommittee.
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.
