Summit Law Blog

As Attorney General, Bob Ferguson successfully led efforts to create an Artificial Intelligence Task Force. Artificial intelligence could be one of the first issues Bob Ferguson addresses as governor, with the Task Force scheduled to release its preliminary report just a few weeks before he is sworn in.

What is the Task Force working on?

The Task Force will examine broad issues regarding AI and provide the Governor and Legislature with recommendations on guidelines and potential legislation. The Task Force will (in part):

• Review “public policy issues and existing protections,”
• Identify “high-risk uses, racial equity, and civil liberty issues,” and
• Recommend “guiding principles, regulatory structures, and opportunities to support innovation.”[1]

Why do we need a Task Force?

Across the United States, hundreds of AI-related bills were proposed in 2024, spanning issues such as deep-fakes, consumer protections, and government use of AI. As governor-elect Bob Ferguson remarked: “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.”[2] Before publishing guidelines or enacting legislation in response to new or emerging technology (such as AI), it is essential to assess the risks that the technology may pose and to evaluate which protections Washington State currently has—or may need to establish—to address those risks effectively.

Who is on the Task Force?

The 19-member executive committee comprises “technology experts, industry representatives, labor organizations, civil liberty groups and other stakeholders.”[3] Some notable names include:

• Katy Ruckle (State Chief Privacy Officer, Washington Technology Solutions)
• Ryan Harkins (Senior Director of Public Policy, Microsoft)
• Dr. Tee Sannon (Technology Policy Program Director, ACLU-Washington)

For a full list of members, please visit here.

What are the key dates?

The Task Force is set to submit to the Governor and Legislature: a preliminary report by December 31, 2024, an interim report by December 1, 2025, and a final report by July 1, 2026.

We will provide an analysis of the reports as they become available.

If you would like to participate in the Task Force, you can submit written comments at any time by e-mailing AI@atg.wa.gov. You can also provide public comments during a meeting by emailing AI@atg.wa.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

[1] Legislature Adopts AG Ferguson’s Proposal to Launch Artificial Intelligence Task Force, WASH. STATE OFF. OF THE ATT’Y GEN. (Mar. 5, 2024), https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/legislature-adopts-ag-ferguson-s-proposal-launch-artificial-intelligence-task.

[2] Id.

[3] Id.