House approves AI study focused on risks to children after tense floor exchanges

The Tennessee House adopted a task‑force/study amendment and passed legislation directing a study of artificial‑intelligence risks to children, a scaled‑back outcome after members wrestled with competing bills and procedural obstacles in the Senate.

Deputy Speaker Zachary, who carried the amendment on the floor, described the measure as a narrowly tailored task force that would "assess the potential risk to children... explore methods to mitigate risk and review national and industry best practices," and he said he had sought and received support from federal intergovernmental officials for the study approach.

Chairlady Littleton, sponsor of the related AI bill, said the measure reflects months of work with state agencies and the attorney general's office and framed it as a child‑protection initiative. "We need to protect the children," Littleton said, recounting prior cooperation with the attorney general and White House staff.

Members across the aisle and within both parties voiced concerns about duplication and scope. Representative Love noted that the Legislature had recently directed a TASAR/TASA study on related topics and asked whether the new study would duplicate existing efforts. Zachary responded that the floor amendment incorporated key points of the earlier unanimous bill and was intended to generate a timely, actionable report for the next session.

Representative Powell raised a claim that the White House or the Senate had acted to block state regulation; Zachary called that suggestion "false and misleading," saying he had confirmed in writing that White House officials did not request that the Tennessee Senate stop consideration. He also said he had been lobbied by tech firms on the subject.

The House adopted the amendment and approved the bill on third reading; the presiding officer declared the bill passed and recorded the vote. Supporters called the study a necessary step to gather information before drafting regulatory language; proponents said it would help the Legislature craft targeted protections for minors and examine industry practices.

Ending: The adopted task‑force study will deliver findings by an early date specified in the bill, with members saying they plan legislative follow‑up next year based on the report’s recommendations.