Dec. 16, 2024

As Georgia lawmakers gear up for the 2025 legislative session, artificial intelligence (AI) is primed to take centerstage in their deliberations.

On Tuesday, December 03, 2024, the Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI) finalized 22 recommendations to guide Georgia’s response to AI.

In its eighth and final meeting at the Capitol, the nine-member committee unanimously approved a detailed 185-page report. The document’s key recommendations focus on state and local government, education and workforce development, public safety, healthcare, transparency and accountability, and industry-specific findings for entertainment, agriculture, and manufacturing.

The committee, formed in May 2024, explored both current and future applications of AI, and also aimed to strike a balance between necessary AI regulations and policies that foster innovation and growth, shining a spotlight on AI’s growing significance in various fields.

The committee, chaired by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell), included Pascal Van Hentenryck, an A. Russell Chandler III Chair and Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech (ISyE), director of the NSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT), and director of Tech AI, the AI Hub at Georgia Tech.

“The committee did outstanding work engaging with many stakeholders across the state, learning about AI’s role in key economic sectors, about AI education, the opportunities and dangers of AI, and potential legislation to balance innovation with the well-being of Georgia residents. It was a true privilege to be part of this committee, and the report has already drawn praise around the country,” said Van Hentenryck.

In a statement, Sen. Albers said, “AI has the potential to improve every Georgian’s quality of life, from addressing food security through precision agriculture to enhancing emergency response and advancing personalized education. However, we must balance innovation with safeguards to protect privacy, fairness, and transparency.”

The committee also proposed the formation of a state board for AI and suggested collaborating with other states to establish interstate AI compacts.

Over the course of its work, the committee held numerous meetings featuring testimony from experts in various fields. Van Hentenryck played a pivotal role in these discussions, particularly when he presented on the topic of trustworthy AI for societal impact. 

He emphasized the need for AI systems that not only perform at a high level but also align with ethical standards Van Hentenryck also highlighted Georgia Tech’s commitment to applying AI in real-world scenarios, supported by its extensive research and development efforts.

Breakdown of Committee’s Findings and Recommendations

  1. Every state agency should create a clear plan and policy for using AI.
  2. Pass laws that regulate AI without blocking innovation, focusing on data privacy and preventing the misuse of deepfakes.
  3. Define AI clearly at the state level.
  4. Keep updating state laws as AI technology advances.
  5. Ensure public organizations track and share the source of their data and AI usage.
  6. Require reports on AI tools in use and how they benefit the state.
  7. Promote partnerships between the public and private sectors to integrate AI in K-12 schools in Georgia.
  8. Support state programs to help workers learn new skills in AI through partnerships with schools.
  9. Develop AI education plans for Georgia’s K-12 schools.
  10. Create AI strategies for the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia.
  11. Identify ways AI can improve emergency response and management.
  12. Make AI tools more accessible to improve healthcare outcomes and efficiency.
  13. Study how AI impacts mental health services.
  14. Ensure transparency in AI systems used in Georgia.
  15. Offer certification for companies that are transparent about their AI practices.
  16. Make sure AI systems clearly disclose when they are interacting with people.
  17. Make deepfake technology illegal when used to spread misinformation or cause harm.
  18. Hold AI products legally responsible, just like physical products.
  19. Promote AI systems that include human oversight (human-in-the-hoop and human-on-the-loop).
  20. Offer incentives for Georgia-based entertainment projects that use AI.
  21. Provide grants to help small farms use AI technology.
  22. Encourage collaborations between government, businesses, and universities to drive AI research and workforce development.

The final report of the committee emphasizes AI’s transformative potential in reshaping industries and improving public services, offering a roadmap for the ethical, responsible deployment of AI technologies in Georgia.

“Tech AI is organizing a session on AI and Government during Tech AI Fest in March 2025,” Van Hentenryck said. “We’ve invited Senator Albers to brief the community on the report’s findings and outline the next steps for advancing AI initiatives in Georgia.”