Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session was anything but predictable, yet one topic kept surfacing in committee rooms and bill drafts: artificial intelligence. As AI technologies continue to evolve and permeate every aspect of our lives, lawmakers are racing to keep up, balancing innovation with the need for public safety and ethical standards.
This year, dozens of AI-related bills were introduced in Minnesota. While none passed as standalone laws, two significant AI provisions found their way into a broader omnibus bill, now awaiting the governor’s signature. The rest? They’re back on the drawing board, set for further debate and refinement in the next session.
One of the most notable efforts came from Sen. Judy Seeberger, who proposed legislation to criminalize the creation, possession, or distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse material. The idea was brought to her attention by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension—a stark reminder that AI’s capabilities can be used for both good and harm. Seeberger, like many of her colleagues, was surprised by the need for such a law, but quickly recognized its importance. "It’s not easy to talk about. It’s not a pleasant subject to talk about, but it’s necessary," she reflected.
Other lawmakers, such as Sen. Erin K. Maye Quade, are tackling different angles, including the environmental impact of AI and its use in health insurance decision-making. These efforts highlight the wide-ranging implications of AI, from personal safety to the environment and beyond.
To help make sense of these challenges, Professor Eran Kahana of the University of Minnesota offers a useful framework: AI is changing at an unprecedented scope, scale, sophistication, and speed. This rapid evolution makes it tough for the law to keep pace. "AI makes it easier to do bad things quicker, at a higher level of sophistication and a higher level of scale. The law is really not designed to deal with that," Kahana explains.
He also points out that the law is inherently reactive, not proactive—a feature, not a bug, of our legal system. As a result, issues like copyright, privacy, liability, and education are only beginning to be addressed. Kahana is particularly concerned about privacy, noting that society often underestimates how much AI can impact our personal data.
One actionable idea he suggests is introducing AI competency requirements in schools, much like media literacy or math. "Everybody needs to understand certain things about AI," he says. While implementing such a requirement is no small feat, it could help future generations navigate an AI-driven world with confidence and awareness.
For now, Minnesota’s lawmakers are committed to refining their approach. As Sen. Seeberger puts it, "We have to dive into this stuff, and we have to ensure that the laws that we’re enacting not only address the behavior that we’re trying to address, but are also constitutionally sound, legally sound and do what we’re trying to do."
Key Takeaways:
- Minnesota is actively working on AI legislation, with a focus on public safety, privacy, and education.
- The law struggles to keep up with AI’s rapid development, often reacting to issues as they arise.
- Experts recommend greater public awareness and education about AI’s impact, especially on privacy.
- Lawmakers are expected to revisit and refine AI-related bills in the next legislative session.
- Mandating AI education in schools could be a proactive step to prepare future generations.