Legislation would Audit AI Across all State Agencies, Establish Felony Offenses for AI Election Interference
ATLANTA – State Representatives Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs) and Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth) recently introduced two pieces of legislation related to artificial intelligence (AI) and certain offenses for election interference, House Bill 986 and House Bill 988. HB 986, also known as the “AI Transparency and Protection Act” would create criminal felony offenses of election interference carried out by AI. HB 988 would require the Georgia Technology Authority to audit all artificial intelligence usage by state agencies.
“Artificial intelligence continues to be a growing concern for many Georgians, and in the world of AI, transparency and protection are crucial,” said Rep. Thomas. “The AI Transparency and Protection Act sets the standard by making election interference with deep fakes a felony. Legislation of this kind is imperative to secure our digital space, guarantee trust and safeguard the integrity of our democratic process. I look forward to partnering with my legislative colleague Rep. Todd Jones to address this rising concern in Georgia’s election system.”
“As artificial intelligence takes center stage in Georgia, growing concerns highlight the need for protective measures,” said Rep. Jones. “With House Bill 988, requiring the Georgia Technology Authority to audit all artificial intelligence usage stands as a crucial step in addressing and mitigating the need surrounding AI within the Georgia state government. By establishing a robust framework for oversight, Georgia can ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, fostering trust and accountability in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.”
“As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in Georgians’ daily lives, the Georgia House is working proactively to create a regulatory framework that protects our consumers while also supporting innovation,” said House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington). “I applaud the work of Representatives Thomas and Jones to audit artificial intelligence in our state, strengthen transparency around this evolving technology, and safeguard our elections from deep fakes and other bad actors. I am confident these proposed measures will be a great first step toward addressing an extremely important emerging technology and ensure artificial intelligence will be a net positive for Georgia families, businesses, and communities.”
HB 986, the “AI Transparency and Protection Act,” would establish felony offenses of election interference with a deep fake and solicitation of election interference with a deep fake. The term deep fake refers to a video recording, video file, sound recording, sound file, electronic image or photograph that is created through technological means, rather than through the ability of another person to physically or verbally impersonate such person and appears to depict a real person’s speech or conduct that did not occur in reality. Under HB 986, any person who commits an offense of election interference through creation and transmission of a deep fake would be guilty of a felony and sentenced to a term of imprisonment between one and five years and be subject to a fine up to $50,000.
HB 988 would require the Georgia Technology Authority to conduct an inventory of all systems that employ artificial intelligence and are in use by any state agency. The authority would be required to submit a report of their inventory no later than December 31, 2024. Additionally, HB 988 would require the authority to create a report that develops and establishes policies and procedures concerning the development, procurement, implementation, utilization and ongoing assessment of systems that employ artificial intelligence, ensuring that no such system results in any unlawful discrimination against any individual or group of individuals. The authority would also be tasked with the responsibility of submitting their findings to the offices of the Governor, Lt. Governor, Senate President Pro Tempore, Speaker of the House and chairpersons of the House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation, the Senate Committee on Public Safety and the Senate Committee on Science and Technology no later than December 31, 2025.
Both bills have been assigned to the House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation and could be eligible for consideration in the coming weeks.
The full text of HB 986, the “AI Transparency and Protection Act,” may be found here.
The full text of HB 988 may be found here.
Representative Brad Thomas represents the citizens of District 21, which includes portions of Cherokee County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Technology & Infrastructure Innovation Committee and Secretary of the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Governmental Affairs, Intragovernmental Coordination, Retirement and Transportation committees.
Representative Todd Jones represents the citizens of District 25, which includes portions of Forsyth and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as Chairman of the Technology & Infrastructure Innovation Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Economic Development & Tourism, Education, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health, Industry & Labor and Judiciary committees.
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