TN, US · AI law tracker
SB0837 — TN, US
SB0837 is an AI governance legislation from TN, currently enacted. Tennessee SB0837 clarifies that "person," within state statutes, does not include artificial intelligence or any machine [1]. AIGI tracks 1 primary-source update on this bill; the most recent was published on 2025-02-04.
Status & timeline
- Regulatory stage
- enacted
- Bill status
- enacted
- Authority / governing body
- Tennessee General Assembly
- Document type
- legislation
Next deadline: No fixed deadline — effective immediately upon enactment.
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Full obligation matrix
| Actor | Obligation | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| all_legal_entities | Interpret the term 'person' in Tennessee Code Annotated to explicitly exclude artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, software programs, computer hardware, or any type of machine. | immediately | — |
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Enforcement risk score
Enforcement actions have been filed against named organizations under this or analogous rules.
Subscriber only
Role-based compliance checklist
- general_counsel Ensure legal interpretations and advice align with the definition that 'person' in Tennessee law excludes artificial intelligence and related technologies. (immediately)
- compliance_officer Communicate the updated definition of 'person' to relevant internal stakeholders to ensure understanding of legal accountability for AI systems. (immediately)
Subscriber only
Vendor impact assessment
- Vendor risk class
- medium
- Procurement categories
- other
Vendors of AI systems operating in Tennessee should be aware that their AI products will not be considered legal 'persons' under state law. This reinforces that liability for the AI's actions resides with human operators or the deploying entity, not the AI itself.
Sample vendor questions
- How do you ensure that your AI systems do not operate under the assumption of legal personhood in jurisdictions like Tennessee?
- What are your internal guidelines regarding accountability for AI system outputs, given that the AI itself cannot be a legal 'person'?
- Can you provide documentation or policies that confirm your understanding and adherence to state laws defining legal personhood for AI?
Intelligence briefs (1)
Tennessee Bill Clarifies 'Person' Definition Excludes AI Systems
Tennessee SB0837 clarifies that "person," within state statutes, does not include artificial intelligence or any machine [1].
This development bears on the legal personhood of AI systems, affecting their potential rights, responsibilities, and accountability structures within Tennessee law.
Deadline: No fixed deadline — effective immediately upon enactment.
Primary source →Frequently asked questions
- What is SB0837?
- The Tennessee General Assembly has enacted SB0837, clarifying that the term "person," as used in the Tennessee Code Annotated, explicitly excludes artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, software programs, computer hardware, or any type of machine [1]. This legislative action delineates the legal standing of AI systems within the state's statutory framework. Primary source →
- Why does SB0837 matter?
- This development bears on the legal personhood of AI systems, affecting their potential rights, responsibilities, and accountability structures within Tennessee law. Primary source →
- Who does SB0837 affect?
- This clarification impacts organizations deploying AI systems or developing AI-driven products and services within or for Tennessee. It specifically affects business functions involved in legal counsel, compliance, risk management, and product development, particularly those analyzing potential legal standing or liability associated with AI entities. Deployers assessing AI's role in contracts, regulatory filings, or interactions with state agencies will need to consider this statutory definition. Primary source →
- What are the key dates for SB0837?
- No fixed deadline — effective immediately upon enactment. Primary source →
- What is the current status of SB0837?
- As of the last published update, SB0837 is at the "enacted" stage, with bill status "enacted". Primary source →
- Where can I find the primary source for SB0837?
- The primary source for the most recent update is at https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=SB0837&ga=114. AIGI publishes the full citation chain plus every approved brief on this bill. Primary source →
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