September 24, the Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology held an informational hearing on current and future uses of artificial intelligence to improve services in the public sector, spanning a variety of different agencies and use cases.
Lawmakers heard from the Oregon Hazards Lab, which already uses AI to improve wildfire detection and response. AI allows over 200 fire professionals and emergency managers to control the cameras to use for real-time analysis and fire response logistics.
“AI can do things humans can’t easily do, like notice potential indicators of fires at night, or monitor thousands of computer actions at once. This doesn’t replace human work; it’s about using AI to help deliver programs better for Oregonians,” said committee co-chair Representative Nancy Nathanson (D – Eugene).
They also heard updates from the Oregon State Government AI Advisory Council and the Oregon Joint Task Force on AI. While the task force is focused on terms and definitions for future legislation, the council is working to develop recommendations for the use of AI in state government, guided by accountability, equity, and transparency.
“I’m excited about AI’s potential to drive innovation in Oregon. As a member of the task force focused on definitions, it’s essential that we establish a strong foundation and clear understanding of this technology. With that solid groundwork, we must ensure that AI tools are developed responsibly and without bias as we embrace their opportunities,” said committee co-chair Senator Aaron Woods (D – Wilsonville).
The Joint Committee will continue to explore these applications to improve operations and foster economic growth in Oregon.
