HARTFORD, CT — As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into business and daily life, Connecticut lawmakers are once again debating whether to enact state-level legislation to govern its use and impacts.

When the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned its most recent session, lawmakers had not reached agreement on comprehensive AI regulation. Supporters of new legislation argue that clear rules are needed to protect consumers, strengthen data privacy safeguards and prevent algorithmic discrimination. Opponents caution that overly strict requirements could discourage innovation and make the state less competitive for technology companies.

Over the past two years, legislators have introduced proposals aimed at establishing reporting requirements, transparency standards and guardrails around AI use. Some measures advanced through parts of the legislative process but ultimately stalled before becoming law, leaving broad AI regulation unresolved.

As a new legislative session begins, lawmakers have signaled renewed interest in addressing artificial intelligence governance alongside broader conversations about online safety and digital privacy. Debate continues over how detailed and prescriptive any AI law should be, and how to strike the right balance between protecting residents and encouraging technological growth.

For now, Connecticut’s approach remains incremental, relying largely on existing consumer protection and data privacy statutes rather than a comprehensive AI framework. Whether that changes this year will depend on how lawmakers navigate competing priorities and perspectives in the months ahead.

This summary is based on reporting originally published by Hartford Business. Readers can view the full original article on Hartford Business’s website for additional details.