NM AG opposes U.S. House GOP efforts to restrict state laws on AI
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez recently signed onto a letter backed by 39 other attorneys general opposing efforts by U.S. House Republicans to restrict states for the next decade from passing laws related to artificial intelligence.
'Artificial Intelligence will be the most impactful technology of our generation and states must have the ability to shepherd its progress in a safe and responsible way,' Torrez said in a statement. 'While Congress has failed to act, we've worked hard to develop new proposals—like House Bill 401—which would have penalized the use of AI-generated content for harassment, extortion, or defamation, and created tools to detect harmful synthetic media and unmask bad actors. Though it didn't pass, strong state-level protections are still urgently needed, and states must have the flexibility to regulate this emerging technology if Congress refuses to act.'
Republicans added the clause restricting states' laws on AI to the U.S. House budget bill congressional they hope to pass before Memorial Day. The measure, advanced on May 14, as part of the House Energy & Commerce Committee's budget reconciliation proposal. Exceptions to the state ban would include laws that 'remove legal impediments to, or facilitate the deployment or operation of' AI systems.
In their letter, the AGs write that the 'promise of AI raises exciting and important possibilities. But, like any emerging technology, there are risks to adoption without responsible, appropriate, and thoughtful oversight. In the absence of federal action to install this oversight, over the years, states have considered and passed legislation to address a wide range of harms associated with AI and automated decision-making.' Those harms include 'deep-fakes designed to mislead voters and consumers,' the letter notes.
In addition to HB401, which did not make it out of the state House Commerce & Economic Development Committee during the most recent legislative session, New Mexico Democrats backed a so-called Artificial Intelligence Act, which did not make it through the session, but would have created a state regulatory AI framework.
A signed memorial created an AI working group for the Legislative Education Study Committee, aimed at making recommendations on AI's use in education, among other topics.
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