More than a third of state agencies are using AI. Texas is beginning to examine its potential impact.

In March 2020, the Texas Workforce Commission leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) by introducing a chatbot named “Larry” to assist Texans in signing up for unemployment benefits. The increased use of AI in state agencies has led to concerns about unintended consequences such as bias, privacy loss, and loss of control, prompting the Texas Legislature to take a more active role in the oversight of AI technology through the passing of House Bill 2060.

The AI advisory council, established by House Bill 2060, is responsible for studying and evaluating the current utilization of AI in state agencies and determining the need for an AI code of ethics. The council includes members with expertise in AI, ethics, law enforcement, and constitutional law.

The implications of increased AI deployment are hotly debated. Proponents see AI as a means to improve government efficiency and service delivery, while critics express concerns about social inequality, bias in decision-making, and the loss of human control over technology.