Oregon’s new advisory council on artificial intelligence will meet for the first time next Tuesday to start mapping out the role of artificial intelligence in state government.
The State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, created by Gov. Tina Kotek with an executive order, will meet virtually from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday. The public can listen and provide feedback.
The council is responsible for coming up with a plan and recommendations to guide the state’s awareness and use of AI, including recommendations about how to use the technology in a transparent and fair way.
The council’s creation comes at a time of widespread recognition that AI is a powerful tool that offers benefits and risks. For example, AI can save staff time by transcribing audio or analyzing data to flag trends or problems. But AI also can use facial recognition technology to scan and find fugitives, for example, but the technology is not flawless and also raises privacy concerns.
In politics, AI gives candidates for elected office a tool to lie about their opponent and make them appear to say or do something they did not.
This session, Oregon lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1571, which would require political campaigns to disclose when their campaign materials use AI or digital technology to manipulate an image, video or audio in an effort to sway voters. It awaits Kotek’s signature. Washington state has a similar law in place and other state legislatures have considered AI laws for campaigns this year.
In 2023, at least 25 states introduced bills about AI, and 18 states and Puerto Rico passed proposals, according to a National Conference of State Legislatures report.
In September, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum sent a request to Congress on behalf of all attorneys general urging federal lawmakers to pass laws that prevent AI from harming children.
Under the governor’s executive order, the council will have a year to come up with the plan and recommendations. At its first meeting, the 15-member council will hear from Kotek, discuss the timeline and have an orientation that includes information about open meetings and public records laws.
No other meetings are scheduled yet.
Get Involved
The State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council will meet virtually from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday. Go here to view and attend the next meeting.
by Ben Botkin, Oregon Capital Chronicle
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