Attorney General William Tong on Wednesday issued new guidance outlining how Connecticut’s existing laws apply to the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence.
Attorney General William Tong on Wednesday issued new guidance outlining how Connecticut’s existing laws apply to the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence, warning businesses and government entities that AI-driven decisions remain subject to long-standing civil rights, privacy and consumer protection statutes.
In a memorandum dated Feb. 25, Tong said AI technologies “can also cause significant harm,” citing risks including discrimination, bias, disinformation and misuse of personal data. The advisory emphasizes that companies deploying AI systems for functions such as hiring, tenant screening, lending, insurance and advertising must comply with state and federal law.
The document details the legal frameworks the Office of the Attorney General may use to police AI-related misconduct, including Connecticut’s anti-discrimination laws, the Connecticut Data Privacy Act, the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Connecticut Antitrust Act.
The memorandum stresses that algorithmic decision-making does not create new exemptions from civil rights laws, noting that automated systems can still produce unlawful discriminatory outcomes. It also highlights consumer data protections, including residents’ rights to access, correct and delete personal data, and to opt out of certain forms of automated profiling.
Tong further warned that deceptive or unfair uses of AI — such as false advertising claims, fabricated consumer reviews or misleading representations about AI capabilities — could trigger enforcement under CUTPA. The memo also points to antitrust risks, including the use of AI tools in price-fixing or collusive practices.
The guidance states that the advisory is not binding legal advice but is intended to clarify how current statutes apply as AI adoption accelerates.
The memorandum comes as Connecticut policymakers continue to debate AI-specific regulations, with no comprehensive framework enacted to date and Gov. Ned Lamont repeatedly urging a cautious approach to new rules.
Lamont, however, has proposed legislation this session that would impose targeted safeguards on certain AI systems while also attempting to support innovation.
