Texas Explores Expanding AI Use Across State Agencies, Forms Council to Study Ethics
• Texas Workforce Commission used AI chatbot "Larry" to handle surge in unemployment claims during pandemic • Over 1/3 of Texas agencies currently use some form of AI, for tasks like translation, call centers, cybersecurity • New law creates AI advisory council to study current usage, assess need for AI ethics code • Concerns around AI include bias, privacy, and losing control of decision-making to machines • Interest growing in deploying AI at state and local levels, with over 300 members in DIR user group