SB 859: AI Non-Sentience & Responsibility Act
Sponsor: Mike Moon
SUPPORT
Pro-Human & Pro-Responsibility
SB 859 creates a new section in Chapter 1 declaring that artificial intelligence is non-sentient, can never be treated as a legal person, spouse, corporate officer, or property owner, and that humans and human institutions always remain responsible for what AI does.
What Does This Bill Do?
- AI is Non-Sentient: Declares that AI systems are non-sentient and cannot be granted personhood or considered conscious.
- No AI 'Marriages' or Roles: Forbids recognizing AI as a spouse, corporate officer, or property owner.
- Human Liability: Owners and users are responsible for direct or indirect harm caused by an AI's operation, ensuring humans remain the accountable moral agents.
Constitutional or Critical Context
Missouri law currently doesn't explicitly address AI personhood. This bill would lock in a strong anti-AI-personhood position, ensuring that in any future disputes, AI cannot be treated as a legal person or scapegoat. While it conceptually respects clear categories (human vs. machine), some vague language could be tightened up.
Red Flags & Suggested Amendments
Vague Risk Assessments
The phrase "regular evaluations or risk assessments may be required" does not specify who requires them (courts? regulators?), leaving the door open to expansive regulatory demands without clear legislative limits.
Broad Liability Standards
Liability for "indirect harm" when used "as intended or misused" could be stretched to blame owners for remote or unforeseeable outcomes, potentially chilling legitimate AI use by small organizations.
Act for Missouri Recommendation:
SB 859 is directionally strong: it clearly rejects AI personhood and anchors liability in human actors consistent with a Christian, pro-life, pro-family worldview. While we recommend tightening vague phrases to prevent regulatory creep, we confidently champion SB 859 as a pro-human, pro-responsibility framework.