POLICY PERSPECTIVE: The artificial intelligence will see you now

Abstract

Debates and discussions around title protection and unlicensed practice of a profession by another provider or imposter are not new, nor is today the first time the issue is drawing controversy. What is novel to the current debate, however, is the imposter being an artificial intelligence (AI) system or product. The rapid increase of AI's utilization in classrooms, work products, communication tools, and healthcare is all but guaranteed to transform many aspects of our life. As AI races forward, policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders are faced with setting up guardrails and determining the rules of the game before it is even clear where, when, or how the game takes place. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has noted the introduction of AI-related legislation across all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 2025 legislative session (NCSL, 2025). The bills range across issues including ownership of AI content, stalking or harassment via AI, and rules around utilizing AI in election materials (NCSL, 2025). Several bills would also have implications for the use of AI in the provision of healthcare services. Should any of the bills become law, regulators will be tasked with implementing and enforcing the measures.