Kentucky lawmaker to file bill to clarify AI cannot be considered a person or shield criminals - wkyt.com

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) — A Kentucky lawmaker is taking steps to ensure artificial intelligence cannot be treated as a human under state law or used to escape criminal accountability.

State Rep. Adrielle Camuel (D-Lexington) submitted a bill request Tuesday ahead of the 2027 Regular Session that would establish that AI systems, algorithms, software, hardware, and machines are not considered “persons” or “human beings” under Kentucky law.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals could not avoid criminal responsibility simply by claiming an AI system carried out the unlawful conduct.

“And that raises a pretty simple question: what happens if someone uses AI to commit a crime?” Camuel said. “We can’t put AI in handcuffs. We can’t take it to court. And we shouldn’t let someone use AI as an excuse to avoid responsibility for something they told it to do.”

Growing concerns and federal gridlock

Camuel pointed to escalating concerns surrounding the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, noting a recent report where industry leaders—including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei—called for stronger safeguards as systems grow more capable.

The Lexington Democrat criticized federal lawmakers for stalling progress on regulations.

“At the same time that some of the people developing this technology are warning that we need guardrails, Republicans in Washington are working to limit states’ ability to put those guardrails in place,” Camuel said. “If Washington isn’t going to act, I believe states like Kentucky have a responsibility to do what we can.”

The push follows significant increases in AI-facilitated crimes nationwide. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the agency logged 22,364 complaints involving AI in 2025 alone, representing reported financial losses topping $893 million.

Following neighboring state models

Camuel’s measure mirrors legislation passed earlier this year in Tennessee, which explicitly excluded AI, computer algorithms, software programs, and hardware from legal personhood.

“This isn’t about stopping AI or standing in the way of new technology,” Camuel said. “It’s about making sure our laws keep up with the technology we’re already using. If you’re the one behind it, you should be the one held accountable. I think that’s just common sense.”

The bill request will be formally drafted and considered when the Kentucky General Assembly convenes for the 2027 Regular Session in January.

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