The Rhode Island Governor’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force, established by Governor Dan McKee, convened for the first time to explore the utilisation of AI in government and business. The task force, consisting of 24 public and private sector leaders, aims to ensure that AI applications are ethical and unbiased. They will investigate various sectors, including finance, government, education, and small businesses, over the next year to develop a report and roadmap for AI use in Rhode Island, with a goal of increasing personal incomes by 2030.

The task force is chaired by former Congressman Jim Langevin, and its vice-chair, Chris Parisi, emphasized the dual potential and responsibility of AI, noting the creation of new jobs alongside possible job displacement. Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner highlighted the mixed reactions of businesses towards AI, with some eager to innovate while others remain apprehensive. The state is also seeking a strategic advisor to assist the task force, reflecting a proactive approach to integrating AI into various sectors.

Nationally, AI usage among businesses has surged, with a 2024 McKinsey report indicating that 72% of surveyed businesses now use AI. Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced AI-related legislation, including bills to address algorithmic discrimination and prevent AI-generated content in election communications. The insurance industry, represented by Edmund Shallcross III of America, has already embraced AI, while government officials like Marc Pappas and Christopher Horvath stress the importance of AI in disaster recovery and the need for robust data security frameworks to safeguard AI implementations.