MONTGOMERY, Ala. – As generative artificial intelligence technology advances, Gov. Kay Ivey signed an executive order on Thursday to create a task force to research current GenAI usage in the state and make policy recommendations for lawmakers.
“The state of Alabama is a pioneer in the development and use of advanced technologies, from manufacturing nanotechnology to empowering mankind to walk on the moon,” Ivey said Thursday in a statement.
“In that innovative spirit, GenAI represents a monumental step forward in the potential for our state government to serve the public. However, its capabilities must first be studied carefully to ensure it is implemented in the most responsible and efficient manner possible.”
The task force will be required to submit a report to the governor by Nov. 30. It’s to include detailed descriptions of GenAI’s current use in executive branch agencies, whether those uses pose any risks, and policy recommendations for state lawmakers to consider for the following year.
Members of the task force will be appointed by the governor, and will consist of 13 members; seven cabinet members, two representatives of Alabama higher education systems, two state representatives and two state senators.
Those four lawmakers are Sens. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, and Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, and Reps. Mike Shaw, R-Hoover, and Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville. Shaw previously told Alabama Daily News of his intention to file a bill regulating GenAI deepfakes.
“I’m honored and excited to be selected by Governor Ivey to assist in this very important effort,” Shaw told ADN Thursday.
“I have worked in the technology field for nearly 30 years and I already see how important AI and GenAI will be to the world and our state. I think the governor is wise to proceed with thoughtful analysis and I will do my best to help make this successful.”
In addition to the creation of the task force, the executive order also instructs the Alabama Office of Information Technology to establish infrastructure to allow state agencies to conduct GenAI pilot programs in a controlled setting.
Ivey first teased the creation of an AI task force on Tuesday during her State of the State address, noting the urgent need to better understand and possibly regulate the quickly advancing technology.
Multiple states have already proposed their own laws regulating the use of AI. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed the ELVIS Act during his State of the State address on Monday to create protections for musicians’ voices, which now can be realistically recreated using AI technology.