Eye on AI: Regulating artificial intelligence in Wisconsin

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Artificial intelligence is posited to bring many benefits to society, but some fear it can also bring a host of problems.

It's why state lawmakers and experts are teaming up to explore possible safeguards to AI and determine whether any regulations are needed.

The Wisconsin Legislative Study Committee on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence has been meeting monthly since July to learn how these technologies can serve the greater good without compromising fundamental rights.

Kathy Henrich, the CEO of the nonprofit Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition, is one of 12 members on the study committee.

"[AI] does have the potential of being a disruptive force if we do not get in front of this," Henrich said. "My personal view is this committee is to serve and to make sure Wisconsin is prepared for this transition."

When asked if America is prepared, Henrich replied, "we have work to do."

Some states, such as Colorado, North Carolina and California, already passed laws taking different approaches to regulating AI.

Their goal: protect the public from any potential bias or discrimination in AI systems and have guardrails to ensure the technology is used ethically by companies.

In May, Colorado was the first state to enact comprehensive AI legislation and since then, lawmakers have worked to refine the law before it goes into effect in 2026.

Sen. Julian Bradley, the GOP chair of the AI study committee, said he's keeping tabs on Colorado to ensure Wisconsin doesn't "repeat any of those mistakes."

"The last thing we want to do is reinvent the wheel," Bradley said. "It's possible we will have legislation that comes out of this, but it's going to be well thought out, studied and very narrow."

Bills aimed at protecting consumer data in the context of AI are becoming increasingly popular. However, when the term regulation is added to the conversation, experts say it can be tricky to try and not stifle innovation while also protecting consumers' data.

It will be a balancing test lawmakers and experts on the committee will explore in the months ahead.

The committee plans to make recommendations for potential legislation during their final meeting in December. From there, Sen. Bradley said depending on their outcome, it could be used as a roadmap for future policy changes.

AI Workforce Training

Preparing the state for the integration of AI is a key part of the conversation on the committee as well, and the impact it could have on the workforce.

A study conducted by TechEd Media Group found 70% of respondents believe state government is not doing enough to prepare for AI in terms of task forces, legislation and research.

The survey was conducted before Gov. Tony Evers' Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence released their action plan, which largely emphasizes reskilling and upskilling initiatives to help workers and employers adapt to AI.

Matt Kirchner, president of LAB Midwest and host of the TechEd podcast, is working with stakeholders on the legislative study committee and said the biggest challenge to AI is talent attraction and retention.

"I want our state Legislature to recognize the opportunity Wisconsin has before it and how we can, and already are, leading in artificial intelligence," Kirchner said.

Part of that work has to do with expanding upon opportunities already offered in some classrooms, such as industrial robots that provide students with hands-on training.

"You don't necessarily have to have an advanced degree to interact with artificial intelligence, we can learn about these technologies in high school," Kirchner said.

In addition to an AI talent shortage, education, adoption, and public awareness are also areas the state is up against, the study concluded.

Wisconsin business leaders were also surveyed on how AI could affect their workforce.

Overall, the manufacturing sector viewed AI as a productivity tool that will optimize their processes. Meanwhile, educators and institutions believe it will have a significant impact on how they operate.

How Wisconsin is Leading in AI

The Milwaukee School of Engineering is at the forefront of adapting to AI after becoming the first in the state to offer an undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence.

"We are definitely on the front edge of this huge revolution, and it's given us a great position to hire great faculty and attract really great students," said Derek Riley, professor and program director of computer science, Milwaukee School of Engineering.

MSOE has ROSIE to thank for that. It's a state-of-the-art supercomputer that allows students to work with data and build algorithms used by the same systems Chat GPT is trained on.

"Students can access and log on [to ROSIE] anywhere in the world," Riley said. "We're giving them exposure to the system. Most other schools, undergraduates don't have access to a machine."

Waukesha County Technical College is also offering associate degrees and certificates in AI and will open a new center for applied AI this fall.

Microsoft's $3.3 billion investment to build an artificial intelligence data center in Mount Pleasant is another example of how the state is becoming a leader, Kirchner said.

The sprawling facility will be located on the same plot of land where the Taiwanese company Foxconn largely failed to materialize.

It comes as expanding and building upon the current AI footprint is one of many recommendations committee members say is required to ensure Wisconsin is in position to capitalize on AI.