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OLYMPIA — The public is invited to participate in the first meeting of Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force on Friday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The AI Task Force will convene technology experts, civil liberty groups and many other representatives who have a stake in the future of artificial intelligence. The task force will assess the technology’s benefits and challenges, issue findings and reports, and make policy recommendations to the Legislature regarding guidelines and potential legislation for AI systems.
Friday’s virtual meeting will include a public comment period for Washingtonians who are interested in participating. Speakers can sign up by emailing AI@atg.wa.gov at least 24 hours in advance. Remarks will be limited to two minutes. Written comments are accepted any time. For those who sign up to speak, details for joining the Zoom webinar are included below.
Those interested in watching the meeting live can stream it on the TVW website here.
“Washington is already a technology leader in this country, and we must continue to lead on the safe and responsible use of AI,” Ferguson said. “The experts on our task force will be critical in helping shape policy that centers the people as we navigate one of the most important issues of our time.”
AI technology is rapidly developing. In particular, generative AI — which creates content such as text, images or audio — has exploded in popularity. Tools like ChatGPT have become some of the fastest-growing consumer internet applications of all time.
According to a recent survey, 79% of respondents in North America reported at least some exposure to generative AI. Forty-one percent report using it regularly, and 22% say they are using it regularly at work. According to a study reported in Forbes, half of Americans who interact with AI don’t realize it.
Ferguson partnered with Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-White Center, to create the AI Task Force with Senate Bill 5838. Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, sponsored the companion bill in the House. The bill passed the Legislature with bipartisan support. In June, Ferguson announced the experts who will serve on the task force, as well as the scope of their work.
The Attorney General’s task force will consider a variety of topics, including:
- Intellectual property and personhood protections, including replicas of voice or likeness;
- High-risk uses of AI that could negatively affect safety or fundamental rights, and appropriate human oversight and accountability;
- Systemic racial disparities perpetuated in AI systems;
- Protecting workers across industries from harm and bias by AI systems;
- Opportunities to support innovation; and
- Improving transparency and public education about AI, data privacy and security.
Ferguson’s task force includes experts from a variety of fields. The task force members are:
- Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-White Center
- Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick
- Rep. Clyde Shavers, D-Clinton
- Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn
- Sheri Sawyer — Deputy Director of Policy & Outreach, Governor’s Office
- Rick Talbert — Senior Project Advisor, Auditor’s Office
- Katy Ruckle — State Chief Privacy Officer, Washington Technology Solutions
- Dr. Magdalena Balazinska — Director, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington
- Kelly Fukai — Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, Washington Technology Industry Association
- Ryan Harkins — Senior Director of Public Policy, Microsoft
- Dr. Tee Sannon — Technology Policy Program Director, ACLU-Washington
- Vicky Tamaru — buildJUSTLY
- Paula Sardinas — WA Build Back Black Alliance
- Leah Koshiyama — Senior Director of Responsible AI & Tech, Salesforce
- Crystal Leatherman — Washington Retail Association
- Montana Miranda — Senior Manager of Government Affairs, Washington Hospitality Association
- Cherika Carter — Secretary Treasurer, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Chief Darrell Lowe — Redmond Police Department
Friday’s meeting is the first of many over the next two years. The task force will meet at least twice a year. The task force will also include numerous subcommittees. The public is invited to attend subcommittee meetings and participate in the discussions.
The AI Task Force will issue findings, guiding principles, and submit a final report with policy recommendations to the governor and Legislature by July 1, 2026.
If you would like to sign up to receive regular updates from the AI Task Force, or provide written comments to the task force at any time, please contact AI@atg.wa.gov.
Details for participants
WHAT: Inaugural meeting and public comment for AI Task Force
WHEN: Friday, July 26, 9 a.m.-noon
WHERE: Virtual; Zoom webinar information below:
Link to join: https://atg-wa.zoom.us/j/81099365918?pwd=5tIqQcdgqrEzHIxC9LK5A1VlsT4HMc.1
Dial-in: 1-253-205-0468
Meeting ID: 810 9936 5918
Passcode: 769104
You can read the agenda here.
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