Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan announced on April 2 the creation of a select committee to examine advancements in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies (AI/ET) and the economic, ethical and societal implications of those advancements.
The five-member House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies is tasked with studying the current state of AI/ET and its uses, determining the impact of AI/ET on various sectors of society, identifying policy considerations for the responsible use of AI/ET in the state’s public and private sectors and recommending legislative, policy, regulatory and remedial actions to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI/ET.
“AI and other emerging technologies are increasingly being used in countless aspects of our everyday lives—from use by government agencies to applications in transportation, health care or personal productivity—and it is important we understand the wide-ranging implications of this accelerating technology,” said Phelan. “AI has the ability to change the world and improve many ways in which we operate, but we must first consider the consequences of its varied uses, including concerns over data privacy and cybersecurity. I look forward to reviewing the new select committee’s findings and recommendations that will help ensure the responsible use of AI and emerging technologies across Texas’ public and private sectors and in our day-to-day lives.”
Phelan appointed the following Texas House members to serve on the Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies:
Representative Giovanni Capriglione, Chair
Representative Jeff Leach
Representative Oscar Longoria
Representative Angelia Orr
Representative Armando Walle
The Speaker requested the special committee submit an initial report on its findings by May 16, 2024 in the same manner as an interim study committee.