WASHINGTON, USA — The governor of Washington is taking steps to make sure the state uses generative artificial intelligence (AI) ethically and transparently.
Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order Tuesday to develop guidelines for how the state uses AI in its own information systems. Under the order, WaTech, the agency that operates the state's technology and information security services, will work with Inslee's cabinet agencies to identify and report potential AI initiatives the state could adopt. The teams will also work to develop initial guidelines for how the government can use and monitor generative AI use.
“This executive order lays out a year-long process for agencies working together to assess the feasibility, benefits and challenges of integrating this technology into agency operations and services,” Inslee said in a statement. “It’s our duty to the public to be thorough and thoughtful in how we adopt these powerful new tools.”
The order also asks the Washington Office of Equity to create and oversee an accountability framework for generative AI use. Inslee said state agencies will have guidelines to follow when considering generative AI adoption by the end of the year.
Traditional AI is commonly used to analyze historical data and make future numeric predictions. Generative AI, however, allows computers to create new outputs that mirror human-generated content. According to Inslee, this feature could be cause for concern.
Inslee said some AI models have significant quality limitations and have been shown to reinforce social biases and raise security concerns. Some AI models are also not used for their intended purposes, according to the governor.
Inslee said he is joining more national and state governments in putting guidelines in place to support generative AI use while also addressing concerns about the technology.
“With today’s action, Washington state is moving to the fore of policy work on this crucial 21st Century challenge,” Inslee said. “The work we do around generative AI over the coming year will be yet another example of how the Evergreen State is also the Ever Forward State.”
To read the governor's full statement, click here.
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