In light of the increasing impact of generative artificial intelligence on society, Governor Tina Kotek declared the establishment of the Oregon State Government AI Advisory Council on Wednesday. The primary objective of this council is to formulate recommendations for the integration of artificial intelligence within the state government.
Governor Kotek emphasized the significance of artificial intelligence as a groundbreaking frontier with the potential for substantial societal benefits, alongside the imperative need to address associated risks. These risks encompass ethical considerations, privacy concerns, equity issues, security challenges, and the potential for societal transformation.
Governor Kotek underscored the necessity of proactively ensuring the responsible and advantageous application of artificial intelligence. She expressed anticipation for the outcomes that the council will generate, aiming to cultivate an environment conducive to innovation while safeguarding individual and civil rights.
The council is tasked with presenting a preliminary recommended action plan framework to the Governor’s Office within six months of its inaugural meeting, followed by a final action plan no later than 12 months after its establishment. The action plan’s core focus will be on optimizing the benefits of ethical and efficient artificial intelligence implementation, coupled with the establishment of governance and standards to mitigate risks and address concerns related to privacy, ethics, and equity. The overarching objective is to define clear usage policies outlining the permissible utilization of AI tools, ensuring transparency, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and safeguarding sensitive information, including personally identifiable data.
Specific details regarding the full membership composition and meeting schedules will be disclosed at a later date. The council will comprise a maximum of 15 members, all sharing a dedication to data ethics and equity. Key members will include the Oregon State Chief Information Officer (who will serve as the council chair), the Oregon State Chief Data Officer, a representative from the Governor’s Racial Justice Council, the Department of Administrative Services Cultural Change Officer, and an additional agency representative nominated by the Governor.
Governor Kotek will appoint up to eight additional members, potentially including community organizations with expertise in data justice, artificial intelligence specialists from Oregon universities, and representatives from local governments. Furthermore, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House will each designate a member from their respective chambers to join the council.
Notably, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights last year, emphasizing the necessity for ethical and equitable principles, practices, and guidelines to safeguard individuals as governments embrace artificial intelligence technologies.
The establishment of the council was formalized through the issuance of Executive Order 23-26, accessible for reference here.
