Thirteen senior administration officials and a special assistant for emerging technologies will govern generative AI in Pennsylvania through a new board created by Governor Josh Shapiro.
None of them have deep experience in the new technology, but they are eager to learn from faculty at Carnegie Mellon University and other experts.
"I'm dedicating a lot of time to making sure I understand how it works," said Amaya Capellan, the governor's chief information officer.
A former vice president at Comcast, Ms. Capellan said she used to develop products that included older forms of AI like machine learning. But generative AI, which sprung onto the scene last year in consumer tools like ChatGPT, still remains a bit of a mystery.
"I have probably experienced it more as a citizen than an employee so far, but that's why we're getting started," she said.
As important as understanding the technology will be understanding how it could impact Pennsylvania's workforce, Ms. Capellan said.
She said there are 49 other states who are grappling with similar problems. "That's part of the community that we need to learn with and from."
The governance board was a central tenet of Mr. Shapiro's Sept. 20 executive order, which outlined a set of core values as state employees begin to experiment with the new technology. As they learn from subject matter experts, board members will weigh the benefits of artificial intelligence against risks to privacy and job loss.
They will ensure compliance to values like transparency and accuracy — areas where ChatGPT and other tools have struggled — and will work to maintain a competitive landscape for generative AI vendors. They will also help with adoption by encouraging agencies to use the technology "when it improves service delivery and service administration."
Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver said board members were strategically chosen and each bring their own expertise to the team.
"We're going to be incredibly powerful and incredibly motivated to get things done," he said.
When he signed the AI order at CMU, Mr. Shapiro said that government officials would come to the university to learn.
As part of his order, officials are working with the university's Block Center for Technology and Society, which has advised members of Congress. The center's faculty director, Ramayya Krishnan, has specifically called out AI developers for a lack of transparency in their tools.
Steve Wray, the center’s executive director, said government could require certain safety standards from vendors, which would improve the systems for private and public use.
"Because the U.S. government is going to be one of the biggest purchasers of these types of systems, they can drive transparency, standards or assurances. They can help set the market the same as they do for airplanes,” Mr. Wray said.
“And once you've built those requirements into a product, others will either demand the same requirements, or they'll be automatic."
Of the 10 core values for AI identified by Mr. Shapiro, several board members said one in particular stood out: "employee empowerment."
"This isn't a replacement of people," said Ben Kirshner, a former digital marketing executive who now leads Pennsylvania's transformation and opportunity office.
Mr. Kirshner said he tried to be an early adopter of new technologies during his own business days, including working with e-commerce clients in the late 2000s. Now with the governor's administration, his "North Star" is making Pennsylvania a great place do business.
"I see lots of opportunities with generative AI, and cutting edge tools like this, to help make the permitting process better," he said. "Not only for the applicant, but on the back end to free up some time for our employees."
AI could help approve and deny license applicants by checking statutes in real time, Mr. Kirschner said. And as statutes are updated, the state could build in a mechanism to ensure AI models — which aren't constantly refreshed like Google — are updated accordingly.
The board will evaluate each government use case for AI with an eye to safety and security, Mr. Kirshner said.
"This stuff is moving really quickly," he said. "We're being proactive in figuring out where it makes sense to adopt."
Members met the last week of September to learn more about their role and responsibilities. October's meeting is still being scheduled.
Evan Robinson-Johnson: ejohnson@post-gazette.com and @sightsonwheels
First Published: October 9, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: October 9, 2023, 10:14 a.m.
