HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania House Republicans are taking a deep dive into the transformative world of artificial intelligence (AI). The Republican Policy Committee hosted a critical hearing on Wednesday, discussing the role of AI in everyday life and deliberating how to ensure its responsible advancement.
The hearing brought together an array of experts: Charles Palmer, associate professor and program lead of Interactive Media at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology; Margaret Durkin, executive director for TechNet in PA and the Mid-Atlantic Region; Madison Gooch, vice president of watsonx at IBM; and an AI in the form of ChatGPT.
Palmer emphasized the profound impact of generative AI on our modern world. “It stands at the cusp of revolutionizing how we conceive, create and interact with digital content,” he said.
Pennsylvania’s Republican policymakers are not blind to this revolution. Earlier in the week, House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler announced the formation of the AI Opportunity Task Force. This group will guide future legislative policy decisions relating to artificial intelligence.
Chairman Josh Kail voiced the importance of these discussions. “As we seek to better understand the implications of AI technology, it was essential that our committee host a public discourse with experts,” Kail said. “We need to be educated, well-versed and poised to take advantage of utilizing AI to our benefit while also setting guardrails to prevent misuse.”
This hearing may have been the first of its kind, but Kail assured it would not be the last. As AI continues to permeate every aspect of our lives, from healthcare to education to entertainment, ongoing discussions about its ethical use and societal implications will become increasingly important. If anything is clear, it’s that Pennsylvania is prepared to tackle these complex issues head-on.
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