Customer-facing AI chatbots, virtual assistants, and automated response systems. Here is what Tennessee businesses need to know in 2026.
Tennessee has enacted ELVIS Act — AI Voice/Likeness. An individual's voice is protected property. Unauthorised AI-generated voice or likeness replicas are actionable, as is distributing a tool whose primary purpose is producing them. Enacted as Public Chapter 588 (HB 2091 / SB 2096), in effect since July 1, 2024.
State law does not replace federal law — you must comply with both. These federal rules apply to chatbot disclosure nationwide:
It depends on the thresholds written into the specific statute, and those are not comparable across laws — some key on employee count or revenue, others on user volume or on the kind of system you deploy. We do not publish a generic small-business exemption for Tennessee, because stating one the statute does not contain would be worse than stating none. Read the primary source linked from our Tennessee law page to confirm whether you are in scope.
The key deadline in Tennessee is July 1, 2024. This law is already in effect — you must comply now.
Tennessee penalties for AI non-compliance: Civil damages. Who enforces, and how, varies by statute — check the primary source linked from our Tennessee law page for the enforcement authority and process that actually applies to you.
Federal law does not currently preempt state AI law. Tennessee's AI statutes apply independently of federal rules, and federal laws like ECOA, FCRA, and HIPAA apply alongside them — so you must comply with both.
Best practice: document all AI systems used, conduct an internal audit, implement required disclosures, and keep records for at least 3 years. For high-risk uses like chatbot disclosure, consider hiring an independent third-party auditor to validate compliance.
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