The Alabama Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Associated Technologies will hold its inaugural meeting today at 10:00 a.m. at the State Capitol in the Old Archives Room.
The commission was created during the 2019 regular session by the Alabama Legislature. Senator Jabo Waggoner’s (R-Vestavia Hills) introduced Senate Joint Resolution seven which passed unanimously. SJR7 established the Commission to advise Governor Kay Ivey (R) and the Legislature on the growth of AI technologies in Alabama, and to make recommendations on policy and advancing the growth of the state’s technology sector.
“In a few short years, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies will transform business, create new jobs and grow our economy,” Sen. Waggoner said in a statement. “Realizing the full potential and opportunities of AI and related technologies for Alabama requires the combined efforts of our state and local governments, industry, and institutions of higher education.”
The Commission is composed of 18 members. Ten members are appointed by Gov. Ivey. The Secretary of Commerce (or designee) and the Secretary of Information Technology (or designee) both serve on the Commission. Two members are appointed by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R). Two members of the House of Representatives are appointed by Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) and two members of the Alabama Senate are appointed by Senate President Del Marsh (R-Anniston). The appointees must have professional qualifications in AI, workforce development, technology, or computer science.
The Alabama Commission on AI will advise the Governor and Legislature on all aspects of the growth of artificial intelligence and associated technology and its impact on various sectors in Alabama such as health care, manufacturing, and workforce development.
The Commission is also tasked with preparing a report on its findings and recommendations by May 2020.
At today’s meeting the Commission will elect a chair and vice chair.
Artificial intelligence is the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.
Artificial intelligence will spur a revolution in information technology and allow for far faster analysis of large databases.
The Bloomberg 2019 U.S. Innovation Index ranks Alabama at 46th of 50 states. The Bloomberg Index is based on several key metrics, including the number of technology companies in a state.
A recent Cyberstates study noted that Alabama increased the number of job postings related to AI and other technologies by 57 percent in 2018.
