South Carolina Lawmakers Establish New Committees to Address AI Regulation
South Carolina lawmakers in both the House and Senate have formed special committees to analyze artificial intelligence (AI). These committees aim to understand the risks and potential benefits of AI, as well as to establish regulatory guardrails. This move comes as states nationwide are grappling with how to regulate AI, with some leaders in the AI field expressing concerns about the rapid pace of its evolution. South Carolina is among at least 17 states that currently lack a policy definition for AI, a foundational step that 33 other states have already taken. Lawmakers, including Aiken Republican Sen. Tom Young, chair of the Senate's special AI committee, plan to hold hearings into next summer to develop policies for AI use within state government. State Sen. Matt Leber, R-Charleston, emphasized the need for the state to be proactive in addressing AI before potential issues arise. Several AI-related legislative proposals have been introduced at the Statehouse, though few have been enacted into law.
