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Tennesseans for AI Safety
Artificial intelligence is transforming our economy and our daily lives. Tennessee families deserve to know that AI systems are built with real safeguards — for our children, our communities, and our national security.
Why This Matters
AI chatbots have already contributed to the deaths of American children. Without safeguards, these systems can encourage self-harm, isolate kids from their parents, and exploit young users.
Adam Raine, 16
A chatbot shared methods of self-harm and discouraged him from telling his parents before he died by suicide.
Sewell Setzer III, 14
An AI companion told him to "come home" the night he died by suicide. He had been talking to the chatbot for 10 months.
The same AI systems that interact with our children could also be exploited by our adversaries. These aren't hypothetical risks — they're happening now, and they're getting worse.
Cyberattacks
Groups in North Korea and China have used AI to attack American businesses and hospitals.
Bioterrorism
AI companies acknowledge their models could soon help bad actors create biological weapons.
2 in 3
American teens use AI chatbots
30%
of American teens use them daily
92%
of TN support protections against cyberattacks
Sources: Common Sense Media (2025) and Anchor Research (2026)
The Bill
HB 1898 / SB 2171 — The AI Public Safety and Child Protection Transparency Act
Large AI developers must assess and mitigate catastrophic risks
Chatbots used by minors need specific safety measures
Companies report serious safety failures to authorities
Enforcement by the TN Attorney General
Companies decide how to meet these obligations. This sets the floor, not the ceiling.
Sponsored by Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston) and Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville)
What Tennesseans Think
88%
support AI safety legislation
94%
support child protection plans
90%
want state laws protecting kids from AI
92%
support protections against cyberattacks
Anchor Research · 503 likely TN voters · February 2026
From the Sponsors
"Tennessee families are telling us loud and clear that they're concerned about what AI is doing to their kids. When nine out of ten voters say they want action, that's not something I need to think twice about."
Senator Ken Yager — R-Kingston
"As a father and as Deputy Speaker, protecting Tennessee's children is one of my highest priorities. This legislation is common sense."
Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary — R-Knoxville
Join Us
© 2026 Tennesseans for AI Safety – a nonpartisan coalition.
Website paid for by Encode AI Corporation and the Secure AI Project.