Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is urging Montana lawmakers to adopt proposed amendments to HB 513 to ensure that the bill’s intent to address deceptive uses of AI-generated content doesn’t inadvertently harm innovation, free expression, or responsible technology development.
While CCIA supports legal protections against malicious uses of digital voice and image replicas, the bill’s current language introduces vague standards and misdirected liability that could negatively impact a broad range of lawful uses and services.
As currently written, HB 513 could hold developers and deployers of AI tools liable for user-generated content – even when they are unaware of misuse or actively discouraging it. Some proposed amendments would help address these concerns by shifting the focus of liability to individuals who knowingly or intentionally cause harm through deceptive conduct.
The following statement can be attributed to Megan Stokes, State Policy Director for CCIA:
“Responsible technology companies are committed to ensuring that AI tools are used ethically and transparently. But HB 513, in its current form, would put innovation at risk by placing unfair liability on the tools rather than on the bad actors who misuse them. The bill’s vague terms and broad scope could chill free expression and lead to over-censorship by online platforms. We urge Montana lawmakers to adopt the proposed amendments to better target intentional misuse while preserving the ability of businesses and individuals to engage in protected, creative, and lawful expression.”
