States Studying AI
States with Study Committees, Task Forces, and Working Groups Addressing Artificial Intelligence
From a public policy standpoint, we’re solidly in the education phase of AI regulation. We’re all scrambling to get up to speed on this emerging technology. For policymakers, this means study committees, task forces, and working groups dedicated to hearing from experts and stakeholders with the goal of developing recommendations on how best to regulate AI at this stage in the technology’s development.
We’re tracking which states have created a specific group to study AI and which states have assigned current standing committees or government agencies to study the emerging technologies. Below you’ll find intelligence on each state’s actions along with links to deeper information.
Alabama
Governor Ivey (R) signed an executive order on Feb. 8, 2024, establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Generative Artificial Intelligence, with its members appointed by the governor. It will consist of seven cabinet members, two representatives from Alabama higher education, and four legislators, including two state representatives and two state senators. The Task Force will submit a report to the governor by November 30, 2024, providing (1) a detailed and accurate description of the current use of GenAI in executive-branch agencies and whether those uses pose any risk and (2) study, evaluate, and develop policy and administrative recommendations related to the responsible deployment of GenAI in state government.
The Governor’s AI Task Force held its first meeting in April 2024 and is scheduled to meet in July (after being pushed back from June) 2024.
Arkansas
On June 27, 2024, Gov. Sanders (R) launched a working group to study and offer recommendations for the safe use of AI within state government. Robert McGough, the state’s chief data officer, will lead the working group. The AI & Analytics Center of Excellence will exist for one year, will meet monthly, and will provide an initial report to the governor by Dec. 15, 2024.
California
Governor Newsom signed an executive order in Sep. 2023 directing state agencies to study the potential uses and risks of generative AI as well as engaging with legislative partners and key stakeholders in a formal process to develop policy recommendations for responsible use of AI.
In March 2024, the state released formal guidelines, pursuant to Gov. Newsom’s 2023 executive order, for state agencies to follow when buying generative AI tools for government use.
Colorado
Lawmakers established the Task Force for the Consideration of Facial Recognition Services in 2022. The task force first met on May 9, 2023, and will next meet on Dec. 13, 2023. The task force must report annually on its findings until it disbands in 2027.
Connecticut
Lawmakers passed a bill in 2023 to create a working group to make recommendations on the ethical and equitable use of AI in state government. The group first met in September and has a deadline of producing a report by next February. Senator James Maroney (D), who sponsored the state's privacy legislation that passed in 2022, said he intends to focus on AI use in private industry next year.
Senator James Maroney (D) chaired the first meeting of the state’s working group on artificial intelligence on Sep. 20, 2023. The group met again on Oct. 12, 2023, on Nov., 15, 2023, and will meet on Dec. 13, 2023. The group has a February 1, 2024, deadline to produce a report recommending best practices for the use of AI in state government and regulations for private sector AI use.
Delaware
In 2024, lawmakers enacted legislation (DE HB 333) creating the Delaware Artificial Intelligence Commission tasked with making recommendations to lawmakers on AI utilization and safety and requiring an inventory of all current state uses of generative AI technology and identifying high-risk areas for the implementation of AI.
Florida
In 2024, lawmakers enacted a bill (FL SB 1680) creating the Florida Government Technology Modernization Council to study and monitor the development and deployment of AI systems.
Georgia
On Nov. 1, 2023, the Senate held a joint hearing on AI between the Senate Committee on Public Safety and the Committee on Science and Technology. Senator Albers (R), Chair of the Public Safety Committee, said “We're the number one state to do business. We have to be number one in AI as well." The Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence held its first meeting on June 26, 2024.
Illinois
The Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force will hold at least five public meetings in Chicago, Springfield, Metro East, Quad Cities and Southern Illinois, leading to a report by the end of 2024. The task force was created by legislation this year with a scope that includes protecting consumer information with generative AI, the use of AI in classrooms, assessing the use of generative AI to improve public services, protecting civil liberties, the impact of generative AI on the workforce, and challenges with AI and cybersecurity.
On Nov. 2, 2023, the House held a joint committee hearing on AI between the Judiciary-Civil Committee and the Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and IT Committee. Lawmakers warned that taking a hands-off approach to AI regulation, as they did with social media, would be a mistake.
Indiana
Lawmakers in the Interim Commerce and Economic Development Interim Study Committee have been assigned the topic of artificial intelligence to study this fall, and held a meeting on Oct. 25, 2023, and Nov. 1, 2023.
Kentucky
The Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology met back on July 31 with a briefing on the landscape of AI. Some lawmakers expressed concerns about potential bias in responses from AI and the impact it would have on jobs.
Louisiana
In 2023, lawmakers created the Joint Legislative Committee on Technology and Cybersecurity to study the impact of artificial intelligence on operations, procurement, and policy. The committee will meet within 60 days of the start of the 2024 session to make recommendations to help government and businesses realize the benefits of AI and to protect consumers from any potential harms.
Maryland
Lawmakers discussed issues surrounding artificial intelligence and machine learning on June 21, 2023, with a hearing by the Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Biotechnology. The committee discussed AI in their November 29, 2023, meeting.
Massachusetts
Gov. Healy (D) issued an executive order on Feb. 15, 2024, that establishes the Artificial Intelligence Strategic Task Force to study AI and Generative Artificial Intelligence technology and its impact on the state, including businesses and higher education institutions. The Task Force will begin its work in February and present final recommendations to the Governor later in 2024.
Nebraska
Lawmakers established an interim study committee to examine the “dangers posed by artificial intelligence for elections,” which held a hearing on Sep. 19, 2024.
New Mexico
The Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee held a meeting in July that covered the impact of AI on civil liberties, criminal justice, and its use in spreading misinformation. The Committee met again in November to discuss transparency in AI.
New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Oct. 10, 2023, establishing an advisory Artificial Intelligence Task Force to study the impact of AI on society. The order also calls on state agencies to develop guidelines for the ethical use of AI to improve government efficiency.
New York
The Assembly Labor Committee and Committee on Science and Technology held a joint hearing on the impact of AI on the workforce on October 19, 2023.
Lawmakers passed a bill in June 2023 that would establish a temporary state commission to study and investigate how to regulate artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation. However, Gov. Hochul vetoed the bill as part of a sweeping set of vetoes the governor issued on proposed study commissions.
North Dakota
The Information Technology Committee had a briefing on August 23, 2023, about the use of AI in state government agencies, future plans for the use of AI technologies, and the effect on cybersecurity.
Oklahoma
Governor Stitt signed an executive order on Sep. 25, 2023, creating a task force to study and develop policy recommendations for the responsible deployment of AI and generative AI to improve efficiency and effectiveness in state government. The task force will send the governor an official report by Dec. 31, 2023.
Additionally, for the interim session, the Oklahoma House Government Modernization and Technology Committee discussed policy considerations for AI back in October. The Senate Business and Commerce Committee has also been assigned AI as an interim study topic. The House held a bipartisan study on artificial intelligence on Oct. 10, 2023.
Oregon
In March 2024, lawmakers enacted a bill (OR HB 4153) into law that establishes a Task Force on AI tasked with examining and identifying terms and definitions related to AI that may be used for legislation.
Gov. Kotek issued an executive order on Nov. 28, 2023, to establish an advisory council that will guide the role of artificial intelligence in state government. Meeting times will be determined later, but the council will provide a recommended action plan framework no later than six months from the date of its first convening and a final recommended action plan no later than 12 months from its first convening.
Pennsylvania
Governor Shapiro signed an executive order on Sep. 20, 2023, establishing a Generative AI Governing Board to guide policy, use, and deployment of the technology by the state.
On Feb. 85, 2024, House Republican leaders established an Artificial Intelligence Opportunity Task Force, composed of five fellow House Republicans, to monitor and guide the growth of these technologies. The task force looks to utilize AI to achieve a "thriving economy, affordable living, safe communities, and family-centered opportunities" for children.
Rhode Island
In 2024, Gov. McKee (D) issued an executive order establishing an AI Center of Excellence to promote AI policy and procedures and improve state operations. The order also establishes an AI Task Force to assess risks and opportunities and provides for the development of AI training and education opportunities.
In 2023, lawmakers enacted a resolution requesting that the Department of Administration and the Office of Information Technology review and evaluate the use and development of artificial intelligence and automated decision systems and provide recommendations regarding ongoing and upcoming plans to expand their use and current security and implementation procedures.
South Carolina
The House will create a new special committee to examine the impact of artificial intelligence, as well as cybersecurity and cybercrime. Rep. Jeff Bradley (R) will serve as chair, and he will ask the full House to vote next session on making the committee permanent. The 19-member committee is comprised of 14 Republicans and 5 Democrats.
South Dakota
Lawmakers established a Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Regulation of Internet Access by Minors, which held meetings on June 18, 2024, and Aug. 14, 2024.
Tennessee
2024 legislation (TN HB 2325) created the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to recommend an action plan to guide awareness, education, and usage of artificial intelligence in state government that aligns with the state’s policies and goals and that supports public employees in the efficient and effective delivery of customer service.
Texas
In April 2024, House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) announced the creation of the House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies. The committee submitted an initial report in May 2024, with a scope of studying the uses of AI in the public and private sectors, the impact on certain industry sectors, considering policies for responsible deployment of AI, and formulating legislative recommendations.
Lawmakers passed a bill in 2023 establishing an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to assess the need for a state code of ethics for AI in state government, and a review of automated decision systems inventory reports.
Representative Giovanni Capriglione (R) hosted a series of panel discussions on AI at the Capitol on Oct. 31, 2023. Capriglione sponsored a measure signed into law this session that created an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to study AI use by state agencies and is preparing a package of AI legislation for next year’s session.
Utah
The Government Operations Interim Committee held a meeting in June 2023 with a presentation on the use of AI in state government. Lawmakers have said to expect bills on "criminalizing some uses of artificial intelligence for public safety and protecting privacy."
Virginia
In April 2024, lawmakers enacted a law (VA SB 487) directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to conduct an analysis of the use of AI by public bodies in the Commonwealth and the creation of a Commission on Artificial Intelligence with a report due to legislative leaders by Dec. 1, 2024.
Gov. Youngkin (R) signed an executive directive on Sep. 20, 2023, directing the Office of Regulatory Management, the state chief information officer, and relevant secretariats to review potential AI usage within the state and to establish standards for such use.
Washington
Lawmakers enacted a law (WA SB 5838) in 2024 to create an AI Task Force to assess uses, develop guiding principles, and make recommendations for the regulation of generative AI.
Gov. Inslee (D) signed an executive order on Jan. 30, 2024, that requires the development of guidelines for public sector procurement and uses of generative artificial intelligence. The guidelines would be developed over the next year and would use the White House Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights as guidance.
The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee discussed artificial intelligence in their December 1, 2023, work session.
West Virginia
Lawmakers enacted a law (WV HB 5690) in 2024 to create a West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence within the governor's office.
The Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary held a hearing in May 2023 on emerging trends in AI. Lawmakers raised concerns about the supply chain of AI and whether foreign technology could compromise state systems.
Wisconsin
Governor Tony Evers issued an executive order on Aug. 23, 2023, to create a Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence administered by the Department of Workforce Development. The Assembly has also created an Artificial Intelligence Task Force to explore the role of AI in elections, business, and government that met on October 11.
On March 4, 2024, the AI task force met to discuss AI’s potential impact on the workforce. The task force hopes to release an advisory plan in the summer of 2024, with recommendations to be included in the governor’s next two-year state budget proposal.
Wyoming
The Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology met in Sep. 2023 to advance legislation on AI for next year's session that would provide criminal and civil penalties for the distribution of misleading synthetic media, and require registration of an AI foundation model.