OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma lawmakers are exploring ways to regulate artificial intelligence, which is already used to read x-rays, write police reports and perform other tasks in business and government, and is expected to become even more important in the future become in life.
On Wednesday, members of the House Committee on Government Modernization and Technology, who explored the current AI landscape, heard from experts in healthcare, criminal justice, education and government. They all advised that while AI has incredible potential to positively impact organizations and outcomes, it is important to recognize and acknowledge its limitations.
Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, who organized the interim study with Rep. Arturo Alonso Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, said a similar study last year focused on what artificial intelligence is and what it isn’t. This year, he said they wanted to explore its benefits and risks and how best to mitigate those risks.
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According to a 2024 report from IBM, artificial intelligence is a technology that allows computers to simulate human learning, understanding and even creativity. AI can “see” and identify objects, “understand” and respond to human language, and “learn” when exposed to new information. AI can help people interpret data faster, improve decision-making and help them make fewer mistakes. However, the results are completely dependent on the initial input from the human user. If that input contains incomplete or incorrect data, the results will be affected.
The committee members first heard from Dr. Nina Kottler, the associate chief medical officer and head of clinical artificial intelligence at Radiology Partners, a national radiology practice. She provided examples of how AI can be useful in helping radiologists and other medical professionals analyze and interpret patient imaging. However, she said its limitations should not be overlooked. AI should only be used to supplement the judgment of a trained human.
“We have to think carefully about how we implement it,” Kottler said. “It requires a well-trained person.”
Ashley Bender, speaking on behalf of Oklahomans for criminal justice reform, agreed that AI should only be seen as a tool, even though it is a powerful one.
Bender provided a brief overview of laws passed in other states to regulate AI and how it is being used by law enforcement and legal systems. Lawmakers in at least 45 states have introduced AI bills this year, she said, and at least 31 states have already passed legislation to mandate things like transparency in how AI is used. Lawmakers have also sought to address concerns that an overreliance on AI or other misuses of it could perpetuate or even exacerbate systemic flaws, such as historical biases based on race or gender.
“You’re starting to see AI creeping into almost every aspect of criminal justice, and that can be worrying because AI isn’t always accurate,” she said. “Unregulated, AI can really lead to bias and unfair decisions, and they will affect people for the rest of their lives.”
Another speaker, Anthony Owen of the National Computer Science Advocacy Coalition, spoke about the impact of AI on education. While it can be a powerful tool, useful for things like helping students gain unique perspectives on social problems and brainstorming solutions, its use must be weighed against issues like concerns about plagiarism.
Owen emphasized the importance of supporting training for teachers and school administrators on the strengths and weaknesses of AI and of incorporating AI instruction into computer science lessons. He agreed with the other speakers that it is also important not to rely too much on AI, or to postpone it at the expense of better human judgment.
Jessica Gateff, deputy director of data services at the state’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services, said there should be no doubt that AI has been used for a number of years to make life easier for Oklahomans, including more to make state government more efficient. One of its most critical uses is as a cybersecurity tool.
Gateff said there are an estimated 16 billion cyber attacks on state infrastructure every year. Protection against this would be impossible without the help of AI.
AI has also contributed to the optimization of government services. She said AI has also helped save hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ money by improving efficiency.
“(We’re) also working with private sector folks to understand what synergies we can realize between businesses, especially in Oklahoma, and the public sector to really define what AI looks like for the state of Oklahoma,” Gateff said.
She agreed that it is important that people in both the public and private sectors know the strengths and weaknesses of AI and use them responsibly.