Provides a civil cause of action for individuals injured by artificial intelligence.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Suing for AI-Related Harm

This bill would give Rhode Island residents the legal right to sue if they are harmed by artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Right now, it can be unclear whether someone who is injured — financially, physically, or otherwise — by an AI's decision or action has a clear path to seek compensation in court. This bill would create a specific legal avenue, known as a "civil cause of action," to make that process clearer and more accessible.

The bill could affect a wide range of people who interact with AI in everyday situations, such as someone denied a loan, job, or housing because of an automated AI decision, or someone harmed by a medical AI tool, a self-driving vehicle, or an AI-generated piece of false information. It would also affect companies and developers who build or use AI systems, as they could potentially be held legally responsible if their technology causes harm.

Currently, this bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and is scheduled for a hearing in March 2026. The committee has recommended it be "held for further study," meaning lawmakers want more time to examine the details before moving it forward. No final vote has been taken yet.