WHEREAS, artificial intelligence, or AI, is a rapidly and constantly evolving field and has widely proliferated in recent years; and

WHEREAS, the implementation and use of artificial intelligence offers and may continue to offer an array of benefits to a wide array of industries and aspects of everyday life; and

WHEREAS, the implementation and use of artificial intelligence poses risks, both known and unknown at this time, and holds potential for misuse and unintended consequences; and

WHEREAS, it is of great importance to the Commonwealth to provide guidelines and frameworks for new technologies in order to mitigate risks and provide protective measures, facilitate and encourage development, and use new tools to assist its operations and services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science be directed to study advancements in artificial intelligence. The study shall evaluate the risks, dangers, and opportunities that artificial intelligence advancements pose to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall assess (i) the impacts of deepfakes, data privacy implications, and misinformation; (ii) measures to ensure these technologies do not indirectly or directly lead to discrimination; (iii) strategies to promote equity in artificial intelligence algorithms; and (iv) ways in which artificial intelligence can be utilized to improve government operations and services. In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall make recommendations on any appropriate legislation for consideration by the General Assembly.

The Office of the Clerk of the Senate shall provide administrative staff support. The Division of Legislative Services shall provide legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the Joint Commission on Technology and Science. Technical assistance shall be provided to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science by the Virginia Information Technology Agency. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science for this study, upon request.

The Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2024, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Commission on Technology and Science intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.