After the state legislative session concludes in even-numbered years, the Legislative Council – the legislature's in-house, non-partisan group of attorney advisors – organizes study committees that perform in-depth reviews of various state policy matters facing Wisconsin.  Committees are comprised of both legislators and citizen members. 

Study committees hold hearings, during which they hear public testimony – including from subject-matter experts – on state policies that may need to be fixed or updated.  Once a committee has completed receiving public testimony, it generally drafts legislation for possible introduction and consideration by the legislature.  Recently, the scope of the Study Committee on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in Wisconsin was announced: 

“The Study Committee is directed to review current uses of artificial intelligence technology and make recommendations for legislation regarding the use and development of artificial intelligence technology. The committee may review the use of artificial intelligence in disinformation and artificial imagery and the feasibility of establishing a process to ensure continued state monitoring of high-risk use of artificial intelligence.”

State Senator Julian Bradley (R-Mukwonago), who will serve as chair, recently announced via press release the members of the committee.  Rep. David Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) will serve as vice chair.  Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit) are the other legislator members.  Of the eight Wisconsin citizen members, there is one representative from the health care field – Jay Hill, who serves as vice president of advanced technologies for GE HealthCare.  The full committee membership list may be viewed on the Legislature’s website.

In his press release, Sen. Bradley also notes that this study committee “…will travel throughout the state to consider how the new technology will impact workforce, healthcare, law enforcement, government, and consumer protection.” 

The committee’s first meeting was held at the Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee on Wednesday, July 24.