Seeking to head off any emergent alternative lifestyles that are no doubt already happening at a small scale, Republican Ohio State Representative Thaddeus Claggett (yeah, that name is real) on Friday introduced House Bill 469 “To Declare AI systems nonsentient, prohibit legal personhood.”
If that sounds superfluous it’s because yeah, it is pretty superfluous since good fucking luck finding a judge that would allow you to legally declare ChatGPT is your spouse. But crafting incredibly redundant legislation that can just be superseded by a future majority is a Republican special so why the hell not put this up and get some derisive news coverage outside of the Buckeye State?
Relevant text of the bill: “Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, AI systems are declared to be nonsentient entities for all purposes under the laws of this state. (B) No AI system shall be granted the status of person or any form of legal personhood, nor be considered to possess consciousness, self-awareness, or similar traits of living beings. No AI system shall be recognized as a spouse, domestic partner, or hold any personal legal status analogous to marriage or union with a human or another AI system. Any purported attempt to marry or create a personal union with an AI system is void and has no legal effect,” written as if such attempts would have any legal effect now.