OLYMPIA, Wash.-Legislation to create an Artificial Intelligence Task Force is now headed to Governor Inslee’s desk to be signed into law.
The AI Task Force, under the purview of the Attorney General’s Office, would include technology experts, labor organizations and civil liberty groups to study the benefits and risks of AI, and to make recommendations to the Legislature, according to a press release from the AG’s Office.
“AI is becoming a part of our daily lives, and it’s our duty to immediately begin working in a thoughtful way to ensure we protect Washingtonians against this technology’s risks while maximizing its benefits,” Attorney General Ferguson said.
Senate Bill 5838, sponsored by Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-White Center, was introduced in January and passed by bipartisan votes in both the State House and Senate.
According to the AG’s Office, the AI Task Force will be comprised of a nineteen-member executive committee and subcommittees as needed that will meet at least twice a year, with a final report and recommendations due to the Governor’s Office and Legislature by July 1. 2026.
“AI is like fire — it has tremendous potential to do both good and bad,” Sen. Nguyen said. “This task force will be important for learning about the right legislative response to the explosion in AI tools and is a great step forward to smart, effective use of AI for the people of Washington.”
The AI Task Force will investigate and report on several key issues, including public policy and existing protections governing AI, identification of high-risk uses, equity and civil rights issues, as well as guidance and regulation, according to the AG’s Office.
