Learning before legislation in the Texas AI advisory board »Dallas Innovates

From controlling the home environment with commands like “Siri, turn on the living room lights” to fraud and risk management in financial institutions, artificial intelligence is an integral part of many of the products and services we use every day.

And the news cycle keeps reminding us that this is just the beginning – that the full promise and danger of AI still lies ahead. This isn't just technology allowing us to do the same things in new ways; It has the potential to make us “extra” human – smarter, faster versions of ourselves.

“Every aspect of civilization I believe will be influenced by AI, and that is why I wanted to study it carefully and thoroughly before diving into legislation,” said Senator Tan Parker.

The Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council was established by House Bill 2060 during the 88th Legislative Session. Comprised of founding members and co-chairs Senator Parker and Representative Gio Capriglione, as well as five other public members, the Council aims to increase the study, use and public awareness of AI. The heart of every successful project is collaboration. The Texas AI Council will serve as a nucleus for fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry leaders, academic institutions and research centers.

“There are very real and worrying drawbacks to AI that need to be addressed. “While I am always a free market, free enterprise guy and try to minimize regulation, some regulation will be necessary,” said Senator Parker.

That's why he and the AI ​​advisory board are proceeding carefully. Through public hearings and regulatory testimony, they will produce recommendations for legislation that they plan to release by December 2024.

“Communication and knowledge are the cornerstones of progress, and our Council will serve as a catalyst, uniting minds from all sectors to develop thoughtful policy for AI advancement and technology,” said Senator Parker.

The group's first working meeting took place in late March, when it heard from four state agencies, including the Texas Department of Information Research (DIR) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

“I've actually been very pleased with the progress and thoughtfulness of the agencies in the way they approach AI,” noted Senator Parker.

For example, TxDOT uses AI to reduce accident response time, process payments, manage traffic, and assess aging infrastructure.

The Texas Workforce Commission also testified that its chatbot, named Larry, is used to screen calls and efficiently connect them to the best department. Parker doesn't expect this will ever become a bot-only operation and says the people of Texas will be best served by humans and machines working together.

“We need to maintain a human touch and a human presence when it comes to the Human Resources Commission because there are people who are struggling for jobs and trying to find a new career, etc.,” Senator Parker said.

The council will continue to hear from officials and the public throughout the summer – information that will inform the group's recommendations. Parker is convinced of this approach. He firmly believes that states, particularly Texas, lead the nation on critical issues.

He pointed to Jenna's Law. The law, passed in 2009 and amended in 2017, requires the training of educators in grades K through 12. After its passage, a study found that educators were nearly four times more likely to report suspected abuse than before the training. Now Senator Cornyn is pushing this legislation through the US Congress. Parker hopes to have it become federal law by year's end and believes the Lone Star State can once again lead the nation in AI legislation.

Texas has long been a beacon of innovation and growth in many areas, and AI offers an unprecedented opportunity to further strengthen the state's reputation as a leader in groundbreaking research and development while increasing benefits for Texans in their everyday lives. The council's goal is to support cutting-edge research initiatives and breakthroughs in AI while placing Texas at the forefront of global innovation and efficiency.

The next meeting of the AI ​​Advisory Council will be May 8 at the Texas Capitol. For more information, including background information on council members, general goals, and when and where you can participate in public testimony, visit the website.

Voices contributor Nicole Ward is a data journalist for the Dallas Regional Chamber.

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