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)–(8) As used in this chapter: (1) "AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.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, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.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 social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions 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) preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1)" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to 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, customer account information, or other information related 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)'s customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity. (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, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.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, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.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, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.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, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action. (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, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.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"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.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"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.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"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1).
Section 6-63-1 establishes the defined terms for the chapter. The key platform definition — AI companion — covers AI systems that simulate social human interaction by retaining prior interaction data, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. Systems used solely for commercial customer service are carved out. The Operator definition is notably broad, reaching not just the entity that operates the AI companion but also members, affiliates, subsidiaries, and beneficial owners of that entity.
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"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.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"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.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"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.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"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1); and (3) Possible financial harm to others expressed by 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) to the AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) that includes, but is not limited to, a notification 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.
Section 6-63-2 makes it unlawful to operate or provide an AI companion unless the system contains a protocol for addressing three categories of user-expressed harm: suicidal ideation or self-harm, physical harm to others, and financial harm to others. The protocol must include, at minimum, a notification referring the user to crisis service providers such as a suicide hotline or crisis text line.
This is structured as a continuous operating prerequisite — the AI companion may not be provided at all unless the protocol is in place. The statute does not specify the form or detail of the protocol beyond the crisis referral notification, leaving substantial discretion to the operator.
2 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 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"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) interaction and at least every three (3) hours for continuing AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) interactions hereafter, which states either verbally or in bold and capitalized letters of at least sixteen (16) point type, the following: "THE AI COMPANIONAI companion"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) (OR NAME OF THE AI COMPANIONAI companion"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1)) IS A COMPUTER PROGRAM AND NOT A HUMAN BEING. IT IS UNABLE TO FEEL HUMAN EMOTION".
Section 6-63-3 imposes an unconditional AI identity disclosure obligation on operators. Unlike California SB 243, which conditions the initial disclosure on a reasonable-person standard, this bill requires a notification at the beginning of every interaction regardless of whether a reasonable person could be misled. The notification must be repeated at least every three hours during continuing interactions.
The statute prescribes the exact disclosure language and format: the notification must state either verbally or in bold, capitalized letters of at least 16-point type that the AI companion is a computer program and not a human being and is unable to feel human emotion.
(a) Any personPerson"Person" means any natural person.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(7) who was physically injured through self-harm or was physically or financially harmed by another because of a violation of §§ 6-63-2 and 6-63-3 may bring an action in the superior court for damages, equitable relief, and such other remedies as the court may deem appropriate.
(b) The attorney general shall be empowered to investigate, sue, and seek injunctions against noncompliant AI companionAI companion"AI companion" means a system using artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and/or emotional recognition algorithms to simulate social human interaction, by retaining information on prior interactions and user preference, asking questions, providing advice, and engaging in simulated conversation on matters of personal well-being. "AI companion" shall not include any system used by a business entity solely intended to provide users with information about available commercial services or products, customer account information, or other information related to a user's customer, or potential customer relationship with such business entity.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1) providers including, but not limited to, the provisions of chapter 13.1 of title 6 (deceptive trade practices).
Section 6-63-4 establishes a dual enforcement mechanism. Subsection (a) creates a private right of action for any person physically injured through self-harm or physically or financially harmed by another because of a violation of §§ 6-63-2 or 6-63-3. The action is brought in superior court for damages, equitable relief, and other remedies the court deems appropriate. Notably, standing requires proof of actual physical injury or physical/financial harm — emotional distress alone does not appear to suffice.
Subsection (b) empowers the attorney general to investigate, sue, and seek injunctions against noncompliant operators, including under the deceptive trade practices provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 13.1 of title 6.
The Rhode Island 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, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3) (AI) task force shall continue to advise the governor and the general assembly by assessing and promoting the development, implementation, and regulation of 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, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3) technologies within Rhode Island by understanding AI's potential impact on various sectors, including business, education, healthcare, and government.
Section 6-63-5 directs the Rhode Island AI task force to continue advising the governor and general assembly on AI development, implementation, and regulation. This is a legislative directive to a government body and does not create a compliance obligation for private operators.
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 providing that if any provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the chapter remains in effect.