Texas Gov. Abbott Signs AI Measure to Prevent Potential Abuse

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation on Sunday that supporters say will give state residents some protections against potential abuses created by artificial intelligence systems.

The measure (H.B. 149) bans AI models that intentionally discriminate, urge self-harm, or encourage criminal behavior. Enactment comes months after its sponsor abandoned legislation modeled on Colorado’s first-in-the-nation law banning algorithmic discrimination by high-risk AI systems. Fellow Republicans said the Colorado language was too restrictive.

Free-market groups such as the R Street Institute urged the Republican governor to veto the legislation, arguing it would hinder development of the technology. His signature instead creates ...