Bethany Abbate, representing the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), testified before the Multistate AI Policymaker Working Group to advocate for balanced AI legislation that fosters innovation while protecting consumers. She emphasized SIIA’s role as a trusted voice for innovation policy and outlined key principles for AI regulation:
- Encouraging Innovation: Legislation should focus on high-risk uses, avoiding overly prescriptive approaches that may hinder growth.
- Promoting Alignment: States should aim for consistency with existing frameworks, like the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, to avoid a patchwork of laws.
- Protecting Consumers: Laws should target misuse of AI tools while maintaining access to beneficial innovations.
- Careful Regulation of AI in Education: Broad regulation risks undermining personalized learning and administrative support; a more targeted approach is recommended.
Bethany provided detailed feedback on:
- Model Legislation and CT Bill: Recommendations included refining definitions (e.g., “algorithmic discrimination”), clarifying accountability to focus on deployers, and avoiding disclosure requirements that risk exposing trade secrets. Concerns were raised about the feasibility of content labeling requirements and the potential impact on AI use in education.
- Texas Responsible AI Governance Act: SIIA supported its alignment with national standards but suggested clarifying definitions, responsibilities across the AI value chain, and governance roles to prevent enforcement challenges.
In closing, SIIA commended the Working Group’s efforts and urged continued stakeholder engagement to refine legislation. The organization stands ready to assist in crafting policies that protect consumers and promote innovation.
