Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is urging independent safety evaluations and stronger reporting requirements for the most powerful artificial intelligence models.
Healey’s recommendations build on her call earlier this week for stronger safeguards and independent oversight as increasingly powerful AI systems are developed and deployed.
In a letter to members of the ‘Mass Wins Act’ conference committee, the governor called for a framework that protects residents while still allowing Massachusetts researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses to lead in innovation.
“AI has enormous potential to drive scientific discovery, strengthen key industries, improve public services, and create new opportunities for businesses and residents across Massachusetts,” Healey wrote in a statement. “At the same time, the rapid pace of AI development raises serious concerns about safety, accountability, privacy, civil rights, the future of work, and public trust. We cannot allow this technology to move faster than our ability to put appropriate safeguards in place, and we can’t let the responsibility for managing these risks rest with technology companies alone. We need strong action on both the state and federal levels.”
The ‘Mass Wins’ economic development bill is currently being negotiated by the Legislature. Healey wants the final legislation to include her recommendations, building on provisions that were included in the Senate version.
The governor wants the final bill to strengthen these two areas in the following ways:
Independent safety evaluations: Create a path toward independent reviews of the most powerful AI models instead of relying only on companies to determine whether their own systems are safe. Healey is also calling on government, industry and academia to help develop strong safety standards and build the expertise needed to conduct these reviews.
Earlier reporting of serious incidents: Require companies to report serious safety incidents sooner, giving the state greater visibility into potential risks and the ability to respond before more people are harmed.
States across the country have begun developing frameworks governing the safety and transparency of AI systems.
