Ohio Lawmaker Pushes Bill to Block AI Personhood

Ohio Congressman Thaddeus Claggett has introduced House Bill 469, a proposal designed to prevent artificial intelligence from ever achieving legal personhood in the state. While some corporations in the U.S. are legally considered “persons” for certain business functions, Claggett’s bill makes clear that AI protocols such as large language models (LLMs) will not receive the same treatment.

The bill outlines several critical restrictions. Under this legislation, AI systems could not own property, serve as officers or managers over human employees, or be held criminally liable for their actions. Instead, responsibility for any violations would fall on the human developers, operators, or company representatives. For example, if an autonomous vehicle causes an accident, accountability would rest with the people behind the software—not the algorithm itself.

Claggett describes these measures as “common sense” safeguards, reflecting the growing concern about how rapidly AI is integrating into business operations. By ensuring that AI cannot independently control assets or oversee human workers, the legislation seeks to clarify liability and protect both the public and the legal system from ambiguity.

The proposal also has broader implications. Although it only applies to Ohio, it could set a precedent for how other states or even the federal government approach AI regulation. The bill is not “anti-AI,” but it challenges the industry’s general resistance to regulation. For companies banking on AI as a cornerstone of future economic growth, these rules could significantly impact strategy and compliance.

Interestingly, Claggett, a Republican, introduces this at a time when his party has largely supported emerging technologies like cryptocurrency. His effort signals that bipartisan debates around AI governance are likely to intensify. Whether or not HB 469 passes, it highlights a new and evolving legal frontier: how society defines responsibility, rights, and restrictions in the age of artificial intelligence.