Newly introduced legislation would create a new office within California state government to oversee state agencies’ use of artificial intelligence.  Senate Bill 313 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) proposes to establish the Office of Artificial Intelligence within the California Department of Technology, with authority over designing, using, and deploying automated decision systems that use artificial intelligence. 

“The Legislature recognizes the tremendous potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the lives of its citizens and the functioning of government,” says the bill. “However, the Legislature also recognizes that the use of AI must be guided by principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability to ensure that the rights and opportunities of all Californians are protected in the age of artificial intelligence.”

The legislation was introduced in February and is awaiting a public hearing in its first policy committee. 

On March 21, Senator Dodd held a virtual town hall panel discussion on the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on privacy and consumer.  Panelists included experts in privacy, artificial intelligence, ethics, and law. Watch the hour-long discussion here.