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Feb 14, 2024 - Technology


EXCLUSIVE: STATES ARE INTRODUCING 50 AI-RELATED BILLS PER WEEK

 * Ryan Heath
   , author of
   Axios AI+

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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Nearly all of the state legislatures currently in session are considering
AI-related bills and nearly half of those bills address deepfakes, according to
an analysis by software industry group BSA, shared exclusively with Axios.

Why it matters: Rapid AI innovation and a federal regulatory vacuum have given
state legislatures the impetus to generate a six-fold increase in AI draft
legislation compared to a year ago.

What's happening: As of Feb. 7 there were 407 total AI-related bills across more
than 40 states, up from 67 bills a year ago.

 * States introduced 211 AI bills last month.

Catch-up quick: The targets of the bills range from bias and discrimination to
facial recognition technology and deepfakes.

 * Legislators in 33 states have put forward election-related AI bills.

January saw a huge spike in new bills. They're now being produced at a rate of
50 per week — half of them pertaining to deepfakes.

 * A California bill introduced Feb. 8 would require licensing of powerful AI
   models, via a new state agency and would create an AI public computing
   cluster.
 * South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has signed an updated law against
   child sexual abuse images Feb. 12, mandating prison sentences for those
   caught creating, distributing and possessing AI-generated images.

By the numbers: States with the most bills under consideration are New York
(65), California (29), Tennessee (28), Illinois (27), New Jersey (25).

 * Alabama and Wyoming are the only states currently in session without AI
   legislation under consideration.
 * Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington announced AI executive action
   in January.
 * Connecticut now requires ongoing assessments to ensure AI doesn't cause
   discrimination or disparate impact.

The intrigue: The states with the biggest AI industries — California and New
York — are also generating the most draft bills.

 * Tennessee's AI legislation explosion is driven by the copyright concerns of
   the local music industry, led by the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image
   Security (ELVIS) Act enacted in January.

Between the lines: Today's state legislators seem determined not to repeat
inaction on social media regulation.


 * Some of the most prominent AI legislators were active in state privacy
   legislation — seeing AI guardrails as a logical next step in digital rights.

Flashback: State legislators began building their AI momentum over summer 2023,
introducing 191 bills across 31 states by September — but only 14 became law.

What they're saying: "Penalties for deepfakes is the hot topic," Craig Albright,
BSA's senior vice president for U.S. government relations ,told Axios.

 * "A lot of the deepfake language is similar across states. We're seeing a lot
   of coordination," said Matt Lenz, BSA's senior director for state advocacy.
 * Some advocacy groups worry that strict AI regulation will end up protecting
   early AI leaders, because they'll have the most resources to manage the
   burden.
 * "Wrapping up new AI models in red tape effectively cements the biggest tech
   players as winners of the AI race," said Chamber of Progress tech policy
   director Todd O'Boyle via email.

Yes, but: Governors so far haven't made AI a priority in their 2024 state of the
state addresses.

What's next: State governors have a chance to build up coordination on AI
legislation and executive action as they gather in Washington D.C. this week.

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GO DEEPER

 * Thomas Wheatley
   , author of
   Axios Atlanta

Feb 13, 2024
-
Axios Atlanta


GEORGIA LAWMAKERS INVESTIGATE DEEPFAKE ELECTION TRICKS

Georgia lawmakers investigate deepfake election tricks

Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios

Georgia lawmakers are playing catch-up with bad actors using artificial
intelligence and deepfakes to sway elections.

Why it matters: We are heading into the first major election cycle in which
artificial intelligence will be widely available to voters, governments and
political campaigns — and the rules for its use in politics aren't clearly
defined, Axios' Arika Herron notes.

Go deeper (2 min. read)
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 * Esteban L. Hernandez
   , author of
   Axios Denver

Feb 13, 2024
-
Axios Denver


HOW COLORADO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE APPROACHING AI

How Colorado school districts are approaching AI

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

AI-powered tools are becoming more common in Colorado districts, prompting
educators to figure out ways to move forward with the technology.

Driving the news: Colorado Springs Schools District 11 this year is working with
HopSkipDrive, a child transportation provider for kids, to test out its new AI
offering called "Strategic Routing."

Go deeper (1 min. read)
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 * Scott Rosenberg

Updated Feb 13, 2024 - Technology


MICROSOFT'S GAME-CHANGING SUPER BOWL AD

Microsoft's game-changing Super Bowl ad

Image: Microsoft

Artificial intelligence won't steal your job, Microsoft's Super Bowl ad promised
on Sunday — instead, it will help you fulfill your dreams.

Why it matters: The 60-second spot deftly reframed AI for the general
population, transforming it from a scary unknown novelty into a catalyst for
personal and professional growth.

Go deeper (2 min. read)
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