Texas Moves To Rein In Artificial Intelligence

State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) has filed House Bill 1709, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA), a proposal to establish ethical and practical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Texas.

The legislation seeks to position Texas as a leader in responsible innovation while addressing concerns about AI’s rapid integration into everyday life.

“Artificial intelligence continues to increasingly reshape our daily lives, and we must approach this transformation with necessary care,” said Rep. Capriglione in a press release. “The Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act ensures we embrace innovation while safeguarding public trust, privacy, and safety. By filing this legislation, Texas is taking a proactive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities of AI, ensuring that Texas remains a hub for responsible technological advancement.”

According to the press release, TRAIGA aims to address key aspects of AI development and deployment, including:

• Transparency and Accountability: Requiring companies to disclose their use of AI systems and ensure explainability in their processes.
• Ethical Use: Establishing guidelines to prevent bias, discrimination, and misuse of AI technologies.
• Data Privacy Protections: Strengthening safeguards for personal data used in AI systems.
• Workforce Development: Promoting education and training programs to prepare Texans for an AI-driven economy.
• Protections from Censorship: Ensuring AI systems used for content moderation are transparent, unbiased, and accountable, thereby safeguarding free speech.

A recent PwC study estimates that AI could add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, which is why Capriglione states it is essential to establish clear guidelines to prevent unintended consequences while capitalizing on AI’s economic potential.

The legislation also introduces the Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Sandbox Program, allowing companies in the testing phase to apply for temporary exemptions from certain regulatory requirements. This measure encourages innovation while maintaining oversight.

Capriglione described HB 1709 as the result of extensive collaboration with the public, industry leaders, academics, and advocacy groups. “By balancing innovation with public interest, we aim to create a blueprint for responsible AI use that other states and nations can follow,” he said.

Matt Rosen, CEO and founder of technology consulting firm Allata, emphasized the importance of understanding how AI systems are trained. “If you just let AI run un-tethered, it does become biased, because information that it scans is biased,” Rosen told KXAN. He added that many organizations are seeking guidance on how to use AI responsibly while protecting their data.

Rosen noted that AI regulation remains sparse at the federal level, leaving states to fill the gap. “You have to think, in the next few years, there’s going to be legislation at both levels, and then are they going to overlap?” he said, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that encourages innovation while addressing concerns.