State Representative Adrielle Camuel announced in a press release that she has filed a bill request for the 2027 legislative session that would clarify that artificial intelligence cannot be used as a shield from criminal responsibility under Kentucky law.

The proposed legislation would establish that AI systems, algorithms, software, hardware and machines are not "persons" or "human beings" under Kentucky statutes. It would also clarify that individuals cannot avoid criminal liability by claiming an AI system acted independently, Camuel said in the statement released Tuesday.

"If you're the one behind it, you should be the one held accountable. I think that's just common sense," the Lexington Democrat said.

Camuel's bill request comes as concerns about AI-enabled crimes escalate nationally. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, authorities received 22,364 complaints involving AI in 2025, with reported losses exceeding $893 million.

The proposed Kentucky legislation mirrors an approach already enacted in Tennessee, where lawmakers this year passed bills clarifying that artificial intelligence and related technologies do not qualify as "persons" under state law. Tennessee has emerged as a center for AI regulation, with lawmakers advancing multiple measures related to AI safety and oversight.

"At the same time that some of the people developing this technology are warning that we need guardrails, Republicans in Washington are working to limit states' ability to put those guardrails in place," Camuel said in the statement. "If Washington isn't going to act, I believe states like Kentucky have a responsibility to do what we can."

The statement noted recent warnings from leading artificial intelligence executives, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, about the need for safety measures as AI capabilities advance.

Camuel, who has represented southern Lexington in the 93rd House District since November 2023, emphasized that the proposal targets criminal misuse rather than technological innovation. "This isn't about stopping AI or standing in the way of new technology," she said. "It's about making sure our laws keep up with the technology we're already using."

The bill request will be developed for consideration when the Kentucky General Assembly convenes for the 2027 Regular Session in January.