Connecticut Lawmakers Take Steps to Regulate Artificial Intelligence | CPT PPP Coverage

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State lawmakers in Connecticut are prioritizing the regulation of artificial intelligence within their own state governments before turning their attention to the private sector. Their goal is to protect citizens from discrimination and other potential harms while still allowing advancements in various fields, including medicine, science, business, and education.

Connecticut plans to create an inventory of all government systems that use AI and make this information publicly available by the end of 2023. State officials will also be required to regularly review these systems to ensure they do not lead to unlawful discrimination.

Connecticut state Sen. James Maroney, a Democrat and an authority on AI in the General Assembly, intends to work with lawmakers from other states to develop model legislation on AI. This legislation will include measures such as product liability and impact assessments of AI systems.

Over 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia have introduced AI bills this year, with 14 states and Puerto Rico already adopting resolutions or enacting legislation. Some states have established advisory bodies to study and monitor AI systems used by state agencies.

Lawmakers are focused on understanding how AI is being used within their states and by whom. Connecticut’s new law was prompted by an investigation that revealed AI was being used in various government tasks, such as assigning students to schools and distributing welfare benefits, without public knowledge of the algorithms involved.

While some states have yet to address AI regulation, others are considering following Connecticut’s lead. State Sen. Chris Lee of Hawaii hopes to introduce a bill similar to Connecticut’s and establish a working group or department dedicated to AI matters.

Internationally, the European Union is leading the way in AI regulation, and there have been discussions of bipartisan AI legislation in the United States.

State-level bills proposed this year have been focused on addressing specific AI concerns, such as limitations on the use of AI by mental health providers and restrictions on employers using AI in employment decision-making.

Although ideally, federal regulation would be preferred, state governments are taking the lead in AI regulation due to the speed at which they can act.