WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 2 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(1) "AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1)" means a system using artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", "artificial intelligence technology", or "AI" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments, and that uses machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3), generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligence"Generative artificial intelligence" means a class of AI models that are self-supervised and emulate the structure and characteristics of input data to generate derived synthetic content including, but not limited to, images, videos, audio, text, and other digital content.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(5), and/or emotional recognition algorithmsEmotional recognition algorithms"Emotional recognition algorithms" means artificial intelligence that detects and interprets human emotional signals in text (using natural language processing and sentiment analysis), audio (using voice emotion AI), video (using facial movement analysis, gait analysis, or physiological signals), or a combination thereof.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(4) to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) sessions and userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1); (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8). (ii)"AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1)" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide usersUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.
(2) "AI modelAI model"AI model" means a component of an information system that implements artificial intelligence technology and uses computational, statistical, or machine-learning techniques to produce outputs from a given set of inputs.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2)" means a component of an information system that implements artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", "artificial intelligence technology", or "AI" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments, and that uses machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3) technology and uses computational, statistical, or machine-learning techniques to produce outputs from a given set of inputs.
(3) "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", "artificial intelligence technology", or "AI" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments, and that uses machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3)", "artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", "artificial intelligence technology", or "AI" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments, and that uses machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3) technology", or "AI" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments, and that uses machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments.
(4) "Emotional recognition algorithmsEmotional recognition algorithms"Emotional recognition algorithms" means artificial intelligence that detects and interprets human emotional signals in text (using natural language processing and sentiment analysis), audio (using voice emotion AI), video (using facial movement analysis, gait analysis, or physiological signals), or a combination thereof.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(4)" means artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence", "artificial intelligence technology", or "AI" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments, and that uses machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3) that detects and interprets human emotional signals in text (using natural language processing and sentiment analysis), audio (using voice emotion AI), video (using facial movement analysis, gait analysis, or physiological signals), or a combination thereof.
(5) "Generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligence"Generative artificial intelligence" means a class of AI models that are self-supervised and emulate the structure and characteristics of input data to generate derived synthetic content including, but not limited to, images, videos, audio, text, and other digital content.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(5)" means a class of AI modelsAI model"AI model" means a component of an information system that implements artificial intelligence technology and uses computational, statistical, or machine-learning techniques to produce outputs from a given set of inputs.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2) that are self-supervised and emulate the structure and characteristics of input data to generate derived synthetic content including, but not limited to, images, videos, audio, text, and other digital content.
(6) "OperatorOperator"Operator" means any person, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates or provides an AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(6)" means any personPerson"Person" means any natural person.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(7), partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates or provides an AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1).
(7) "PersonPerson"Person" means any natural person.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(7)" means any natural personPerson"Person" means any natural person.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(7).
(8) "UserUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8)" means any personPerson"Person" means any natural person.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(7) who uses an AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) within the state and who is not an operatorOperator"Operator" means any person, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates or provides an AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(6) or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1).
This section defines the chapter's scope-setting terms. The keystone term is AI companion, defined functionally by three cumulative behaviors — retaining prior-session memory to personalize engagement, asking unprompted emotion-based questions, and sustaining ongoing personal dialogue — and narrowed by carve-outs for customer-service systems, efficiency/research/technical-assistance tools, and purely internal or employee-productivity systems.
The Operator definition is unusually broad, reaching members, affiliates, subsidiaries, and beneficial owners of an entity that operates or provides an AI companion. These definitions create no standalone obligations but govern who and what the operative sections of the chapter cover.
(a) 1 It shall be unlawful for any operatorOperator"Operator" means any person, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates or provides an AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(6) to operate or provide an AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) to a userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) unless such AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) contains a protocol for addressing: (1) Possible suicidal ideation or self-harm expressed by a userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) to the AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1); (2) Possible physical harm to others expressed by a userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) to the AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1); and (3) When any of those expressions are made, a notification shall be provided to the userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) that refers them to crisis service providers such as a suicide hotline, crisis text line, or other appropriate crisis services as soon as any of those expressions are detected.
(b) 2 Beginning July 1, 2027, operatorsOperator"Operator" means any person, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates or provides an AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(6) shall file annual reports with the office of the attorney general which shall include the number of safety protocol activations and related metrics. The office of the attorney general shall publish aggregated data on its website.
This section imposes the chapter's core safety obligation: an operator may not operate or provide an AI companion unless the system contains a protocol for addressing user expressions of suicidal ideation or self-harm and of intended physical harm to others, with an immediate referral to crisis service providers — such as a suicide hotline or crisis text line — triggered as soon as any such expression is detected.
Beginning July 1, 2027, operators must also file annual reports with the attorney general disclosing the number of safety-protocol activations and related metrics, which the attorney general will publish in aggregated form. The crisis-protocol duty is a continuous operating prerequisite tied to the act of making the companion available.
3 An operatorOperator"Operator" means any person, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates or provides an AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(6) shall provide a clear and conspicuous notification to a userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) at the beginning of any AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) interaction and at least every three (3) hours for continuing AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) interactions hereafter, which states either verbally or in writing that the userUser"User" means any person who uses an AI companion within the state and who is not an operator or agent or affiliate of the operator of the AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(8) is not communicating with a human.
This section imposes an unconditional AI-identity disclosure duty: an operator must provide a clear and conspicuous notification — verbally or in writing — at the beginning of any AI companion interaction and at least every three hours during continuing interactions, stating that the user is not communicating with a human.
Unlike California SB 243's reasonable-person trigger, this disclosure applies to every interaction regardless of whether a user might be misled, and it applies uniformly to all users rather than only known minors.
(a) The attorney general shall be empowered to enforce this chapter, including the power to investigate, sue, and seek injunctions against noncompliant AI companionAI companion(1)(i) "AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate a sustained human or human-like relationship with a user by: (A) Retaining information on prior interactions or user sessions and user preferences to personalize the interaction and facilitate ongoing engagement with the AI companion; (B) Asking unprompted or unsolicited emotion-based questions that go beyond a direct response to a user prompt; and (C) Sustaining an ongoing dialogue concerning matters personal to the user. (ii)"AI companion" shall not include: (A) Any system used by a business entity solely for customer service or to strictly provide users with information about available commercial services or products provided by such entity, customer service account information, or other information strictly related to its customer service; (B) Any system that is primarily designed and marketed for providing efficiency improvements or research or technical assistance; or (C) Any system used by a business entity solely for internal purposes or employee productivity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) operatorsOperator"Operator" means any person, partnership, association, firm, or business entity, or any member, affiliate, subsidiary or beneficial owner of any partnership, association, firm, or business entity who operates or provides an AI companion.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(6) for violations of this chapter.
(b) Violations of this chapter may result in civil penalties up to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per day, with fines directed to suicide prevention programs.
This section vests enforcement exclusively in the attorney general, who may investigate, sue, and seek injunctions against noncompliant operators. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $15,000 per day, with fines directed to suicide prevention programs. The section creates no independent compliance duty and no private right of action.
If any provision of this chapter is declared unconstitutional or invalid, or the application of any provision of this chapter to any personPerson"Person" means any natural person.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(7) or circumstance is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of the chapter and its applicability to other personsPerson"Person" means any natural person.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(7) and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Standard severability clause. If any provision is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the chapter and its application to other persons and circumstances are unaffected. No compliance obligation.