NCSL’s AI Task Force Expands Its Reach and Scope

Artificial intelligence seems to pop up everywhere these days, and the 2024 NCSL Legislative Summit was no exception.

Nearly 10 years after its inception, the NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy attracted more than 100 legislators, state staff and NCSL private sector foundation members to its Summit meeting in Louisville.

"There is a clear desire to understand and participate in efforts to balance supporting AI innovation while protecting privacy and security," California Assemblymember and task force co-chair Jacqui Irwin (D) says. "Our task force members are intent on leading their states and joining with their federal partners to shape the road ahead and have found the information and coordination through this task force to be immensely helpful." The meeting featured presentations by congressional staff and representatives from the White House and the FBI. Colin Anderson, with the office of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), joined Utah Rep. Jordan Teuscher (R) to discuss their recent federal and state victories, respectively, in the areas of children's privacy and safety on social media.

"Our task force members are intent on leading their states and joining with their federal partners to shape the road ahead."

-California Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin

Anderson highlighted his boss' successful effort, with co-sponsor U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), to pass the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act (S 2073). The bill, which was overwhelmingly approved, is the first major legislation in years addressing how large tech companies interact with kids on their platforms. Anderson says he is uncertain about the bill's future in the House.

Teuscher says his state won a partial victory in the litigation brought by NetChoice against Utah for the enactment of a first-of-its-kind law regulating how minors interact with social media. The district court judge dismissed the portion of the lawsuit that argued state law was preempted by federal legislation, namely Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, although other constitutional challenges to Utah's law remain. Teuscher says the court's ruling "validated all of the hard work that we've put into this legislation."

The meeting also provided a unique opportunity for task force members to compare international, national and state perspectives on AI and better understand how each level of government is addressing the technology. Denice Warren Ross, with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, discussed the successful implementation of the Biden administration's executive order on AI. Colorado Sen. Robert Rodriguez (D) shared his strategies for helping to enact comprehensive regulation of AI in his state to protect the public from potential bias in AI systems, and to ensure the technology is used ethically as its role in decision-making is expanded.

The use and effectiveness of state and local cybersecurity grants-allocated to state and local governments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-also remain priorities for state legislators. Doug Robinson, executive director of the National Association of Chief Information Officers, says some CISOs worry that existing grant funding levels are insufficient to make a dent in state needs.

A session on AI in financial services explored the potential benefits and concerns related to the technology's use in managing risk, fraud and market volatility. Panelists included representatives of the Consumer Federation of America, the North American Securities Administrators Association and the American Bankers Association. AI is enhancing efficiencies for firms and expanding access to higher-quality products and services for investors, they say, while acknowledging that regulatory oversight is needed to ensure institutions can continue to develop and adapt to emerging technologies.

Learn more about the NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy.

Barrie Tabin is a legislative director in NCSL's State-Federal Relations Division.

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