A newly formed Artificial Intelligence Task Force is taking the lead in the Idaho Legislature, aiming to bring together lawmakers and AI experts.
BOISE, ID — Artificial intelligence continues to transform technology and the way we live our daily lives. Now, Idaho lawmakers are taking proactive steps to understand and, in some cases, regulate the growing impact of AI and related technologies.
A newly formed Artificial Intelligence Task Force is leading the charge in the Idaho State Legislature, bringing together legislators and AI experts to learn more about the multifaceted impact of AI across industries and businesses in the state. .
Rep. Jeff Ehlers of Meridian, co-chair of the task force, highlighted the scope of AI’s potential impact, highlighting key focus areas such as “education, criminal justice, business, legal elections, and datasets.” listed.
Lawmakers in the Gem State have already taken the first steps toward an AI bill that would criminalize AI-generated child pornography, ban deepfakes in elections, and criminalize AI-generated media for purposes of harassment or intimidation. A narrow bill will be passed in the 2024 session.
The group’s co-chair, Burley senator Kerry Anthon, highlighted the far-reaching potential of the technology, saying it would “infiltrate almost every corner of policy” in the coming years and decades.
Brad Fraser, a legal expert at Hawley Troxell, warned of complex legal considerations, especially around non-disclosure agreements and trade secrets. He suggested possible legal approaches to protect companies from inadvertent disclosure through AI platforms.
“We want to make sure that non-disclosure agreements include clauses that prevent disclosure to AI,” Fraser explained. He proposed a bill that would allow businesses in Idaho to automatically protect trade secrets when interacting with AI systems.
Lawmakers recognize that this will be a long process of understanding and adapting to rapidly evolving technology. The working group is scheduled to meet again by January to refine the legislative approach.
As AI continues to advance, Idaho lawmakers are showing they are proactive rather than reactive in addressing its challenges and opportunities.
