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Bill

PS 870

Para enmendar la Ley Núm. 146-2012, según enmendada, conocida como “Código Penal de Puerto Rico”, específicamente para añadir los incisos (jj) y (kk) al Artículo 14; crear el Título VII con Capítulo Único e incluir los Artículos 310 al 317; y añadir el inciso (k) al Artículo 64, en busca de prevenir y penalizar el uso malicioso de inteligencia artificial"

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico criminalizes malicious artificial intelligence use by adding specific AI offense definitions and penalties to its Criminal Code, establishing one of the first territorial AI crime statutes.

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Bill Summary · PS 870

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 870 amends Puerto Rico's Criminal Code (Law 146-2012) to create new criminal offenses specifically targeting malicious use of artificial intelligence. The bill adds definitions related to AI misuse (Articles 310-317), establishes penalties for harmful AI applications, and modifies existing provisions in Article 14 and Article 64 to address AI-related crimes.

Why is this important

As AI technology becomes increasingly accessible, Puerto Rico would become one of the first jurisdictions to establish specific criminal statutes addressing AI misuse rather than relying solely on existing laws. This legislation directly impacts technology developers, businesses using AI systems, and the general public by establishing clear legal boundaries for AI applications and potential criminal liability.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's success depends on precisely defining "malicious use"—overly broad definitions could criminalize legitimate AI research, testing, or innovation, while narrow definitions might fail to address emerging harms
  • Enforcement and technical expertise: Prosecuting AI crimes requires specialized forensic and technical knowledge that law enforcement and courts may lack, potentially creating implementation challenges
  • International competitiveness concerns: Stricter AI regulations than neighboring jurisdictions could disadvantage Puerto Rico's tech sector and deter AI companies from establishing operations on the island
  • Retroactivity and clarity issues: Without clear effective dates and grandfathering provisions, existing AI systems or research could face unexpected legal jeopardy

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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