Pritzker forms ‘AI cabinet’ to assess risks of artificial intelligence

ILLINOIS (Rockford News First) - Governor JB Pritzker signs an executive order Tuesday to create a statewide artificial intelligence cabinet.

The cabinet, which will be made up of a group of individuals across several fields and industries, is designed to evaluate risks the technology could pose and advise state leaders on preparing for and responding to AI-related incidents.

Pritzker says the members of the cabinet will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Artificial Intelligence has enormous potential to transform our everyday lives, but when experts and industry leaders sound the alarm bell, urge us to slow down, and ask for guardrails, we should listen,” Pritzker said in a news release. “Illinois has already enacted nation-leading laws that hold Big Tech accountable and today I’m taking executive action to keep this a priority. ​ Congress and the White House need to treat AI risks with urgency, but in the meantime, Illinois won’t wait because it is our foremost responsibility to prepare and protect Illinoisians.”

The executive order says the duties of the Illinois AI Cabinet will include:

• Developing recommendations on AI safety, risk management and regulation
• Developing policies and procedures to prepare for, prevent and respond to AI-related incidents that m ay impact the safety of Illinois residents
• Analyzing emerging AI incidents and share lessons learned to strengthen statewide preparedness and response
• Creating policies and procedures to safeguard public assets including buildings, water systems, education systems and information infrastructure from AI-driven threats
• Assess the feasibility, timelines, and potential challenges associated with recommended AI policy measures.
• Evaluate the feasibility of potential state regulatory actions, including:
  • Conditioning data‑center tax incentives, permits, or operational approvals on meeting safety, accountability, and transparency standards.
  • Addressing the energy burden AI data centers place on the Illinois grid and ratepayers, including impacts through PJM Interconnection.
  • Incorporating AI safety and accountability standards into state procurement and contracting processes.
  • Assessing whether a strict‑liability framework for AI‑caused harm is an appropriate mechanism for holding AI companies accountable.