States Must Deal With AI Risks Despite Executive Order: Sen. Joe Nicola
Despite an executive order by President Donald Trump purporting to prohibit any state-level regulation or controls over Artificial Intelligence, state governments must put in place guardrails to ensure accountability and protect the public, explained Missouri Senator Joe Nicola (R) in this interview with The New American magazine’s Alex Newman on Conversations That Matter.
Sen. Nicola has a bill—now in its 14th iteration—to put in place what he describes as common-sense policies. Among them: ensuring that a human is always responsible and liable for AI. However, the White House is now reviewing it to determine whether the federal government would cut federal funding to the state over it. “We’re running out of time,” he said. “We only have four weeks left in this session.”
Sen. Nicola, who also serves as a pastor, does not want to stifle innovation or hamper the development of AI, he said. However, this is among the most powerful technologies ever developed, and it is critical that government not allow it to run wild—especially considering how rapidly it is moving. He hopes to receive a greenlight from the White House soon.
Before wrapping up, Sen. Nicola discusses his legislation to ban foreign law in the state. From sharia to the United Nations, all of it would be prohibited.
