(Texas Scorecard) – The Texas Public Policy Foundation hosted a discussion on the future of responsible artificial intelligence policy.
Zach Whiting, policy director at TPPF and senior fellow at Better Tech for Tomorrow, said Texas should not wait for Congress to act, but rather take the lead in developing responsible, human-centered AI policy. I started the discussion by explaining that it should be done.
“Many of the conversations today are about how to responsibly, transparently and effectively harness the power of AI and how to minimize the irreparable damage that can result from it. “It’s going to revolve around the question of whether it’s OK,” Whiting said.
But panelist and state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) said it’s difficult to create AI legislation that both the public and tech companies can buy into. In other words, it is a law that protects individual privacy without imposing regulations that place an undue burden on companies.
“And as you can imagine, it’s hard to come up with a bill that everyone likes, right? The red lines about what people want sometimes contradict each other,” Capriglione said.
Capriglione added that the ultimate goal is to create a model that other Republican states can follow.
David Dunmoyer, campaign director at Better Tech for Tomorrow and co-author of a recently published research paper on AI policy, further explained: Texas also has the strongest, most pro-innovation, pro-consumer AI legislation in the country. ”
His paper explains that creating AI countermeasures is no easy task and requires more than just principles. The precision and definition of language must be specified in great detail, ensuring that components of human dignity, transparency, privacy, and accountability are included.
“Texas needs legislative leadership and thoughtful interim and stakeholder support to become a national leader in developing sound policy solutions that will serve as a model for our sister states and perhaps for Congress and the rest of the world to follow.” We have a process in place for all involved parties,” the paper said. .
Capriglione told the audience that he has not yet introduced a bill on AI policy and that it is still in the drafting stage.
Texas’ 89th legislative session begins on January 14, 2025 and ends on June 2, 2025.
