This Week In Government Technology – May 26th-June 2nd, 2024

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, this week featured significant developments in government initiatives and legislative actions. From California’s groundbreaking AI bills to new educational initiatives, here are the key highlights.

California Passes Landmark AI Bills: New Standards, Anti-Bias Measures, and Research Hub

California Senate bills 892 and 893, designed to establish an AI risk management standard and a research hub, passed unanimously and are now proceeding to the Assembly. Senate Bill 892 instructs the California Department of Technology to implement AI risk management regulations and requires risk assessments in contracts for automated decision systems. Senate Bill 893 proposes the creation of the California Artificial Intelligence Research Hub to facilitate AI research and development through collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector. Senator Steve Padilla stressed the bipartisan necessity of these measures to protect against unchecked technological growth. Both bills were approved with a 37-0 vote, mirroring similar initiatives in New Jersey and New York.

California lawmakers have advanced several significant AI-related proposals aimed at building public trust, combating algorithmic discrimination, and outlawing deepfakes related to elections and pornography. Additional measures target the protection of jobs and likenesses from AI-generated clones and impose penalties for unauthorized digital cloning of deceased individuals. Lawmakers are also considering regulations for large generative AI systems to prevent their misuse in creating disasters. These efforts position California as a leader in AI regulation, emphasizing the need for robust oversight and ethical guidelines to mitigate the risks of rapidly advancing AI technologies.

Code for America Launches AI Studio to Enhance Government AI Adoption

Code for America has announced the launch of AI Studio, a new series of workshops to assist governments in implementing human-centered artificial intelligence. These workshops will be available in-person and virtually, focusing on the importance of testing, scaling, and responsibly adopting AI tools. The initiative emphasizes mitigating risks and exploring potential use cases while ensuring that AI technologies treat individuals with dignity and respect, particularly in accessing essential services such as food assistance and tax benefits.

State CIOs Address AI Workforce Preparedness in Indiana and Texas

A recent Statescoop Priorities podcast featuring Indiana and Texas’s Chief Information Officers (CIOs) delves into their states’ strategies for adopting AI technology, particularly emphasizing workforce training and preparedness. The discussion, which echoes concerns raised at the NASCIO 2024 conference, addresses the importance of equipping state workforces with the necessary skills and knowledge to integrate AI into government operations effectively.