From controlling the home environment with commands like “Siri, turn on the living room lights” to managing fraud and risk in financial institutions, artificial intelligence is integral to many products and services we use every day. are
And the news cycle reminds us again and again that this is just the beginning — that the full promise and threat of AI is still upon us. It's not just technology that will allow us to do the same things in new ways. It has the potential to make us “extra” human – smarter, faster versions of ourselves.
“I believe that AI will impact every aspect of civilization, and so I wanted to be thoughtful and well-studied before jumping into legislation,” said Senator Tan Parker. said
The Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council was established by House Bill 2060 during the 88th legislative session. With founding members and co-chairs Senator Parker and Representative Gio Capriglione, along with five other public members, the council aims to advance the study, use and public awareness of AI. At the heart of any successful endeavor is collaboration. The Texas AI Council will serve as a hub to foster collaboration between key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, academic institutions and research centers.
“There are very real and negative aspects to be handled when it comes to AI, and as a result, while I'm always a free-market, free-entrepreneur who tries to minimize regulation, some regulation is necessary. shall be.” Senator Parker said.
So he and the AI Advisory Council are taking a thoughtful approach. Through public hearings and agency testimony, they will develop recommendations for legislation, which they plan to issue by December 2024.
According to Senator Parker, “Communication and knowledge are the foundation of progress, and our Council will act as a catalyst, uniting minds from all sectors to create thoughtful policy related to AI development and technology.”
The group's first working meeting was in late March, when it spoke to four state agencies, including the Texas Department of Information Research (DIR) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
“I was actually quite pleased with the progress and thoughtfulness of the agencies in terms of how they are approaching AI,” noted Senator Parker.
For example, TxDOT is using AI to reduce accident response times, process payments, manage traffic and evaluate aging infrastructure.
The Texas Workforce Commission also testified about their chatbot called Larry being used to screen calls and efficiently connect them to the best department. Parker doesn't envision it ever becoming an all-boat operation, saying Texans are best served by man and machine working together.
“We must maintain a human touch and a human presence with regard to the Workforce Commission, because you have people who are struggling to find work and trying to find new careers,” Senator Parker said. Senator Parker said.
The council will continue to hear from agencies and the public over the summer — information that will help inform the group's recommendations. Parker is confident in this approach. He strongly believes in the states, especially Texas, leading the country on important issues.
He pointed to Jaina's law. Passed in 2009 and amended in 2017, the legislation mandates K through 12 training for educators. After passing out, one study found that teachers reported nearly four times more suspected abuse than before the training. Now Senator Cornyn is moving this legislation through the US Congress. Parker hopes to see it become federal law by the end of the year and believes the Lone Star State can again lead the nation on AI legislation.
Texas has long been a center of innovation and growth in many fields, and AI creates an unprecedented opportunity to further strengthen the state's reputation as a leader in ground-breaking research and development and Texans. Add benefits to their daily life. The council's mission is to support cutting-edge research initiatives and breakthroughs in AI while advancing Texas to the forefront of global innovation and performance.
The next AI Advisory Council meeting will be held on May 8 at the Texas Capitol. For more information, including the backgrounds of council members, overall goals, and when and where you can participate in public testimony, visit the website.
Voiceover Nicole Ward is a data journalist for the Dallas Regional Chamber.
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