Arkansas

AI Policy Overview

Arkansas lawmakers have enacted several laws related to artificial intelligence policies.

On July 2, 2024, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders launched an AI Working Group to study and offer recommendations for the safe use of AI within state government. The group provided an initial report to the governor on Feb. 7, 2025. 

Ownership

In 2025, Arkansas enacted a law (AR HB 1876) addressing ownership of content made by generative AI. Specifically, this law (1) grants ownership of resulting content or a trained model to a person who inputs prompts or data into a generative AI tool; (2) grants an employer ownership if an employee uses AI as part of their job and under the employer’s direction; and (3) prohibits granting ownership rights to AI-generated content that violates existing copyright or other intellectual property rights. 

Deepfakes

In 2025, Arkansas enacted a law (AR HB 1071) amending the state’s Publicity Rights Protection Act to expand protections for individuals whose likeness, photograph, or voice is reproduced through artificial intelligence and used commercially.

Sexual Deepfakes

In 2025, Arkansas enacted several laws establishing various prohibitions for sexual deepfakes, including: prohibiting distributing an intimate image of an identifiable person without their consent (AR HB 1967); prohibiting distributing sexual deepfakes without consent (AR HB 1529);  clarifying that computer-generated images to prohibitions on child sexual abuse material (AR HB 1877); 

State Uses of AI 

In 2025, Arkansas enacted a law (AR HB 1958) requiring public entities to create an AI and automated decision tool policy that defines the use of such tools, requiring human employees to make final decisions, and requiring training on AI and automated decision tools.

Legislative & Regulatory History

  • 2025 - Arkansas enacted AR HB 1071, which amended the Publicity Rights Protection Act to include images and voice generated through AI.

  • 2025 - Arkansas enacted AR HB 1967, which prohibits distributing an intimate image of an identifiable person without their consent. 

  • 2025 - Arkansas enacted AR HB 1877, which adds computer-generated images indistinguishable from the image of a child to provisions prohibiting child sexual material.

  • 2025 - Arkansas enacted AR HB 1529, which makes it unlawful to distribute deepfake visual sexual material without consent.

  • 2025 - Arkansas enacted AR HB 1958, which requires public entities to create an AI and automated decision tool policy and requires human employees to make final decisions. 

  • 2025 - Arkansas enacted AR HB 1876, which addresses ownership of content made with generative AI.

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