Governor Ned Lamont and the state General Assembly have moved forward with a sweeping set of regulations aimed at artificial intelligence and data privacy. The legislation, known as the Connecticut Artificial Intelligence Responsibility and Transparency (CART) Act, along with an expanded Data Privacy Act, will begin rolling out on Oct. 1. While the measures introduce new consumer protections, they also reflect a growing consensus that unchecked AI could threaten families and communities.
Key Provisions of the CART Act
The 39‑section CART Act creates a framework for AI use in three primary areas: chatbots, youth social‑media activity, and employment decisions. Earlier this year the state launched the Connecticut AI Academy to train residents in AI skills, and a state AI working group was formed to advise on future policy. Starting Oct. 1, companies that develop or deploy large AI models must offer whistleblower protections for employees who raise concerns about those systems.
Employers will be required to draft a plain‑language disclosure framework that explains when and how AI is used in hiring, promotion or other employment decisions. The law makes clear that reliance on automated decision‑making does not shield a company from discrimination claims. The first compliance deadline is Oct. 1, 2027, giving businesses time to adjust while ensuring transparency for job seekers.
Protecting Minors Online
One of the most family‑focused elements of the bill targets social‑media platforms used by minors. The law mandates stronger parental controls, default settings that limit notifications to younger users, and tighter restrictions on the type of information platforms may display to children. In addition, AI‑driven chatbots must clearly disclose that they are not human beings, and they must incorporate mental‑health safeguards, including suicide‑prevention protocols, when interacting with minors. Those chatbot rules will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, with the youth‑social‑media provisions following on Jan. 1, 2028.
Data‑Privacy Enhancements
The companion Data Privacy Act (Public Act No. 26‑64) expands consumer rights around the use of personal data. The Department of Consumer Protection must create a tracking system for data brokers, a ban on the sale of residents’ genetic information is now law, and the use of facial‑recognition technology faces new restrictions, especially in public‑surveillance contexts. These provisions also become enforceable in October.
Trump Administration’s Perspective
The White House, under President Trump, has warned that a heavy‑handed federal AI regulatory regime could stifle innovation and hurt the U.S. economy. Connecticut’s approach, which balances safeguards with industry‑friendly training programs, aligns with the administration’s view that states can lead responsibly without imposing burdensome nationwide mandates.
What This Means for Connecticut Residents
Families can expect clearer information about when AI is influencing decisions that affect them, from job applications to the content their children see online. Businesses will need to invest in compliance infrastructure, but the state’s AI Academy offers a pipeline of skilled workers to help meet those needs. Enforcement will be overseen primarily by the Attorney General’s Office, ensuring accountability while respecting constitutional liberties.
Sen. James Maroney, D‑Milford and co‑chair of the General Law Committee, called the legislation “a start, not a finish,” emphasizing that the state will continue to adapt its rules as technology evolves.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
