Washington State Adopts Legislation to Create New AI Task Force
Senate Bill 5838 establishes an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force in Washington State, which aims to take a proactive approach to the ever-evolving world of AI. Following bipartisan votes in the Washington House of Representatives (68-28) and State Senate (30-19), Attorney General Bob Ferguson's proposal to establish the task force has been approved by the legislature and will go to Governor Inslee for signature.
This task force, housed within the Attorney General's Office, will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders. The task force will have 19 members, including tech experts, industry leaders, labor representatives, civil liberty advocates, and others. The bill specifically requires that the task force include “one member representing the retail industry,” “one member representing private technology industry groups,” and “one member representing business associations.”
"AI is becoming a part of our daily lives and it’s our duty to immediately begin working in a thoughtful way to ensure we protect Washingtonians against this technology’s risks while maximizing its benefits," stated Ferguson. “I appreciate the Legislature’s partnership, and I look forward to launching an inclusive task force that will develop recommendations to guide public policy in this important arena."
The Task Force's Mission
The mission of the task force is to craft recommendations for the state legislature regarding responsible AI development and use. This committee, along with potential subcommittees, will delve into key areas like:
Public policy implications and existing safeguards for AI use
Identification of high-risk applications, racial equity concerns, and potential civil liberty issues
Recommendations for guiding principles, regulatory frameworks, and fostering responsible innovation.
The task force will meet at least twice annually, with a final report and recommendations due to the Governor and Legislature by July 1, 2026.
