Tennessee SB 837 (AI is not a 'person' under TN law)
Tennessee SB 837 — Exclusion of Artificial Intelligence from Statutory Personhood
Tennessee · 2026 Tenn. Pub. Ch. 781 (SB 837); amends Tenn. Code Ann. Title 1
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- April 23, 2026
- Applies to
- Applies generally as a rule of statutory construction across Tennessee Code; no specific regulated party.
- Enforced by
- Not applicable (definitional provision; no standalone enforcement mechanism).
Tennessee amended its rules of statutory construction to make clear that artificial intelligence and related technology are not legal persons. The law specifies that the terms 'person,' 'life,' and 'natural person' do not include artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, software programs, computer hardware, or any type of machine. It also adds definitions of 'human being' and 'natural person' as living members of homo sapiens. The change is purely definitional and creates no penalty.
Who is protected: Not protective in nature; clarifies that legal personhood and related statutory rights do not extend to AI systems or machines.
Legal detail
Public Chapter 781 (SB 837, 114th G.A.) amends TCA Title 1 to define 'human being,' 'life,' and 'natural person' and to exclude AI, computer algorithms, software, hardware, and machines from 'person,' 'life,' and 'natural person.'
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | April 28, 2026 |
| Citation | 2026 Tenn. Pub. Ch. 781 (SB 837); amends Tenn. Code Ann. Title 1 |
| Topics | consumer protection |
| Bill text | Tennessee General Assembly — SB 837 Bill Information (Public Chapter 781) |
More AI rules in Tennessee
- Tennessee Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act · In effect
- TN SB 151 (2017 AV Act) · In effect
- TN drone trespass / FFUSA · In effect
- Tennessee HB 2163 (AI-generated child abuse images are illegal 'material') · In effect
- Tennessee Information Protection Act (opt out of automated profiling decisions) · In effect
- Tennessee SB 1580 (AI can't claim to be a mental health professional) · In effect
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · In effect
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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