HF4979

Purpose

This bill aims to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) models from delivering professional services directly to consumers. It requires a credentialed natural person or a credentialed representative of a credentialed business to oversee or perform the service, rather than the AI model doing it alone. The goal is to protect consumers and maintain professional standards in services that require licensing or registration.

Main Provisions

• Definitions (Section 325F.701, Subdivision 1):

  • Artificial intelligence model: a machine-based system that, based on input, generates outputs that can influence real or virtual environments.
  • Consumer: a natural person or a business that is not a credentialed professional seeking professional services.
  • Credentialed: a natural person or business holding the current license, certificate, or registration to provide the professional services.
  • Professional services: services that require a state license, certificate, or registration.
  • Natural person: an individual.
  • Representing a business: a natural person acting on behalf of a business.

• Prohibition on AI delivering professional services (Subdivision 2):

  • The owner of an AI model may not allow the model to provide a professional service to a consumer unless the service is performed while a credentialed natural person is operating the service, or while a natural person representing a credentialed business is providing the service.
  • A business or person may not use an AI model to provide a professional service to a consumer unless the service is being performed by a credentialed natural person or by a natural person representing a credentialed business.

• Exception for AI as a tool (Subdivision 2, c):

  • This section does not prevent a credentialed professional from using an AI model as a tool to assist in performing a professional service.

• Enforcement (Subdivision 3):

  • Violations are subject to enforcement by the Minnesota Attorney General under section 8.31.

• Relationship to existing law:

  • Creates a new prohibition and definitions within Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 325F, affecting how professional services may be delivered.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new prohibition that restricts how AI models can be used to provide professional services to consumers.
• Introduces formal definitions for AI models, credentialing, and what counts as professional services.
• Establishes the Attorney General as the enforcement authority for violations.
• Allows AI to be used only as a supportive tool by credentialed professionals, not as the primary provider of professional services to consumers.

Practical Implications

• Agencies and businesses offering licensed professional services will need to ensure that any AI tools are used only with credentialed oversight.
• Consumers seeking professional services will be protected from AI-only delivery of those services.
• There may be future penalties or enforcement actions for noncompliance (not specified in the text provided).

Relevant Terms - artificial intelligence model - consumer - credentialed - professional services - natural person - representing a business - license / certificate / registration - Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F - enforcement - attorney general - tool (AI as a supportive tool)