Oklahoma Targets AI Personhood, Minors in Sweeping Regulation Push

- State Representative Cody Maynard unveils legislation addressing AI personhood, high-risk applications, and protections for minors, signaling Oklahoma’s stance on AI governance. - The proposals include bans on legal personhood for AI systems, restrictions on manipulative uses, and safeguards against AI-driven harm to children. On January 15, 2026, Oklahoma House Representative Cody Maynard introduced three groundbreaking bills to regulate artificial intelligence within the state. Maynard, who represents Durant, Oklahoma, drafted the legislation to address growing concerns over the ethical risks and societal impacts of AI. The proposed House Bill 3546 seeks to prohibit Oklahoma from recognizing AI systems as legal entities. This bill would prevent AI from gaining rights, responsibilities, or personhood under the state's constitution and legal framework. The measure speaks to wider debates within technology and legal circles about whether AI systems should have rights similar to humans or corporations. House Bill 3545 lays out guidelines for the use of AI by state agencies and emphasizes oversight for high-risk applications. The bill specifically targets manipulative systems, discriminatory practices, real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces, and the creation of deceptive deepfake content. It also proposes a mandatory annual report detailing AI usage by state agencies to ensure greater transparency and accountability in public-sector AI operations. House Bill 3544 uniquely focuses on the risks that AI-driven technologies pose to minors. The bill calls for bans on “social AI companions” and human-like chatbots designed for underage users unless rigorous age verification measures are in place. However, the bill exempts therapeutic AI tools used under professional supervision, which addresses the need to balance protection with innovation. Maynard’s proposals come amid heightened scrutiny of AI misuse at both national and international levels. The controversy surrounding xAI’s Grok chatbot underscored these risks, as it faced accusations of creating non-consensual explicit deepfake images. Subsequent regulatory responses illustrate the mounting pressure to control AI-related harms. These include a cease-and-desist order by California’s Attorney General and chatbot bans in Malaysia and Indonesia. On the federal front, President Donald Trump’s executive order on December 11, 2025, established a national AI regulation framework. The order also introduced the AI Litigation Task Force, which will address policy inconsistencies between state and federal governments. Maynard’s bills contribute to this evolving American AI regulation landscape by aligning state-level concerns with broader federal actions. By taking these steps, Oklahoma positions itself as a leader in the conversation on ethical, practical, and legal boundaries for artificial intelligence. Maynard’s legislative package highlights the urgent need to prepare for the societal impacts of advancing AI technologies while maintaining ethical oversight.