The Texas Responsible AI Governance Act is a proposed bill aimed at regulating artificial intelligence in Texas. Introduced by State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, the bill outlines a comprehensive framework for AI governance, focusing on high-risk AI systems that could impact individual rights.
The bill requires developers and deployers of high-risk AI systems to conduct detailed impact assessments to evaluate risks of algorithmic discrimination, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and transparency measures. Developers must also provide statements of intended uses to deployers and submit reports detailing system limitations, data used for training, and potential risks.
In terms of consumer protection, deployers and developers interacting with consumers must disclose AI usage, the purpose of the system, and potential decisions that may affect consumers. The bill strictly prohibits AI usage for manipulating human behavior, social scoring, untargeted facial recognition, emotional recognition, biometric categorization, and sexual abuse material.
A regulatory sandbox is also proposed to allow innovation while testing compliance with the law. The bill has sparked debate among stakeholders, with some arguing it will enhance Texas's reputation as a leader in ethical innovation, while others express concerns about stifling innovation and imposing burdensome regulations on small businesses.
The bill is currently in draft form and is expected to be considered during the 89th Legislative Session. Stakeholders have been invited to provide feedback, which will be considered before the bill is finalized. The outcome of this bill could have significant implications for the future of AI regulation in Texas and beyond.
