On September 6, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new executive order regarding the application, procurement, and development of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) by state agencies and their employees. The unique directive marks a major step in the handling of AI technology within a state governing body.
The executive order unveils plans for the initiation of an array of studies, reports, and guidelines that’ll unfold over the coming year, addressing opportunities and potential risks related to the use of GenAI. This concerted effort aims to not only optimise the use of GenAI by state agencies, but also to foresee and mitigate any potential negative impacts.
AI specialists from Morgan Lewis suggest that this focus on generative AI indicates increasing awareness on the part of the government regarding the rapidly evolving advancements of AI technology, and its potential effects on various functions of the state.
Generative AI, an advanced subset of AI, is capable of creating new content drawing from its learning from diverse data sets. Applications span from generating realistic images and text to producing complex simulations. Companies and governments around the world have recognized its potential to revolutionize various fields including communication, entertainment, and governmental processes.
As such, the California executive order appears to be a forward-thinking attempt to harness the yet untapped potentials of GenAI in governance, while also keeping an eye on potential challenges. Lessons learned in California could well inform wider AI policy, as other states and countries look to navigate the complexities of integrating sophisticated AI technologies into their public services.
Artificial Intelligence, today, is a rapidly expanding field and this move by the Californian government displays a commendable understanding of the need to keep up with developments while ensuring the proper handling of the technology.
It remains to be seen how this executive order will shape the use of GenAI in California state agencies and how other jurisdictions might learn and adapt from this ever-evolving example.