Senate passes AI package to require disclosures for consequential algorithmic decisions, boost workforce training and ban non-consensual deepfakes

Hartford ' The Connecticut Senate passed a broad artificial-intelligence package on May 14 that requires disclosure when AI is used to make consequential decisions about people, creates a Connecticut Online AI Academy and funds pilot programs to help state agencies use AI responsibly.

Senator Will Maroney, sponsor of SB 2, described the bill in three parts: protect (consumer safeguards and a criminal ban on non-consensual sexually explicit deepfakes), promote (a state AI academy and workforce training partnerships) and empower (an AI fellow program and pilot projects for state agencies to improve service delivery). "We're looking at protecting Connecticut residents from known harms of algorithms and artificial intelligence," Maroney said during his floor summary.

The Senate adopted a strike-all amendment that removed earlier proposed developer and deployer obligations and took out a digital watermarking mandate for generated content. The amendment narrowed the definition of "consequential decisions" so routine administrative uses (for example, automated note transcription) would not trigger formal notice and appeal requirements. The floor debate emphasized protections where AI could change a person's housing, employment or admission to higher education; where a person receives an adverse determination they would receive notice and have limited appeal rights if the decision relied on incorrect underlying data.

The bill also funds outreach and training: an online AI academy with free Google AI Essentials content (partnered with Charter Oak State College), targeted outreach to alliance districts and small businesses, and a CASE/OLM fellow pilot to help agencies safely prototype AI tools. Senator Maroney highlighted partnerships with Intuit and Google for small-business AI training and work with the Department of Labor to push outreach to displaced workers.

Critics worried about the business impact and pace of regulation. Senator Wong urged caution, warning small businesses could face unexpected compliance burdens; others pressed for stronger anti-discrimination provisions. Supporters said the amended bill balanced protections with business flexibility. "We want to give people the right to know when AI is being used and the right to see and correct underlying data," Maroney said.

The Senate adopted the amendment and then passed SB 2; the measure now moves to the House. Implementation will require agency rulemaking, cooperation on training curricula and further outreach to municipal and business stakeholders.

Quote from the floor: "If AI is making an important decision about your life, you have the right to know that," Maroney told colleagues. "We are looking to partner with as many people as possible, to make them aware of these training opportunities."