South Carolina Senate Committee begins studying artificial intelligence

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) — As artificial intelligence continues to expand into everyday life, South Carolina lawmakers are beginning a long-term effort to determine what role the state should play in regulating the rapidly evolving technology.

A newly formed Senate Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence held its first meeting Wednesday, beginning what lawmakers say will be a multi-year examination of AI’s impact on state government, education, law enforcement and other public sectors.

The committee’s mission is to better understand artificial intelligence and ultimately make recommendations on whether South Carolina should adopt regulations or expand the technology’s use within government operations.

One challenge facing lawmakers is that South Carolina does not currently have a legal definition of artificial intelligence. Legislative staff told committee members that 33 states have adopted definitions in law, while South Carolina remains among the 17 states that have not.

Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, said lawmakers expect AI to continue evolving, and many other states have already gone through similar processes.

“As AI evolves, there’s going to be more involvement for AI in state government... education, law enforcement, various other state agencies,” Young said.