And so too on the state level<\/p>\n
In Wisconsin, the two bills enacted into law in 2023 are good pieces of legislation, but they really are only peripherally concerned with AI; they merely apply old law to new technology.<\/p>\n
The work of the legislative task force was more important, but ultimately it too failed to delve into the bureaucratic use of AI, though its members touched on some points of departure if such an inquiry is undertaken.<\/p>\n
Basically, the subcommittee made seven recommendations, which I repeat here, if not quite verbatim:<\/p>\n
First, instead of focusing on regulating the emerging technology that is AI, the legislature should focus on ensuring that data, the \u201craw material that powers AI,\u201d remains private and the consumer protected.<\/p>\n
Second, the Legislature should learn from the experiences of other states and avoid the potential overreach of comprehensive AI legislation, and should instead prioritize high-risk areas susceptible to exploitation or abuse.<\/p>\n
Third, the Legislature should ensure that existing laws apply to AI models in the same way that those laws apply to individuals, but should avoid creating duplicative statutes that unnecessarily single out AI.<\/p>\n
Fourth, the legislature should ensure that programs related to education and workforce development, such as Fast Forward, have a scope that is broad enough to include AI up-skilling, training, and education; are funded accordingly; and work to address any disparity in access between rural and urban communities.<\/p>\n
Fifth, the Legislature should consider establishing a permanent study committee, new legislative standing committee, or inter-branch commission to review emerging technologies, including AI, and make legislative recommendations regarding the same.<\/p>\n
Sixth, the Legislature should, as AI technology advances, examine and invest in technology powered by AI that will assist with public safety, such as gun detection software.<\/p>\n
And seventh, the legislature should direct the executive branch to promulgate administrative rules to establish clear, consistent guiding principles for state-level AI governance and to provide the legislature with oversight regarding the state\u2019s procurement, development, and use of AI.<\/p>\n
Now most of these are just performative, the kind of vague empty shells that lawmakers spout out when they don\u2019t have a clue but want to be seen as actually doing something. <\/p>\n