OKLAHOMA CITY – Representative Cody Maynard, a Republican from Durant, has introduced a legislative package comprising three bills aimed at establishing robust safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Oklahoma. The proposed measures, which will be considered in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature starting February 2, seek to clarify that AI systems are not persons with legal rights, ensure responsible usage by state agencies with adequate human oversight, and protect minors from potentially harmful AI interactions.
“This is not anti-technology, it’s pro people,” Maynard stated. He emphasized that the initiative aims to embrace innovation while upholding constitutional principles, parental rights, and basic human dignity. “AI should assist humans, not replace human responsibility,” he added.
The first bill, House Bill 3546, explicitly affirms that AI systems and algorithms may not be granted legal personhood under either the Constitution or the laws of Oklahoma. Maynard articulated that this measure reinforces a foundational principle reflected in the Declaration of Independence: that rights come not from government but are endowed by the Creator and recognized by the Constitution.
“Machines are created by man, and they must never be elevated to the status of the people they were designed to serve,” Maynard asserted, highlighting the need for a clear distinction between human rights and machine capabilities.
The second measure, House Bill 3545, aims to establish guardrails for AI usage within state government. This bill would restrict high-risk applications, including manipulative practices, unlawful discrimination through automated classification systems, real-time remote biometric surveillance in public spaces, and the creation of deceptive or malicious deepfakes. Additionally, it mandates human review of specific AI-driven recommendations, enhancing transparency by requiring agency reporting and the publication of an annual statewide AI report by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
In response to rising national concerns regarding the psychological impact of AI, the third bill, House Bill 3544, focuses on protecting minors from AI systems designed to simulate human-like relationships. This legislation would prohibit the deployment of social AI companions and human-like AI chatbots to minors, requiring reasonable age certification measures, with limited exceptions for certain therapeutic tools under strict professional oversight.
Maynard pointed out that this bill mirrors growing national apprehensions, particularly highlighted by widely reported lawsuits claiming that some AI-companion platforms have fostered emotional dependency in minors and, in tragic cases, even encouraged self-harm.
As AI continues to evolve and permeate various aspects of society, Oklahoma’s legislative package reflects a proactive stance toward ensuring that technological advancements do not undermine fundamental human rights and responsibilities. With these measures, Maynard aims to strike a balance between innovation and the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly minors, in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
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