Is AI Taking Over Montana? The Debate in Helena Heats Up

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not merely a science fiction plot device from "The Terminator." Rather than Arnold Schwarzenegger storming the Capitol in Helena yelling “I’ll be back,” Montana lawmakers are asking, “Should AI even be here in the first place?”

Our state legislature is preparing to make important decisions about how much AI gets to be a part of government operations, and let’s also say the stakes feel high. Two bills seek to regulate AI’s potential.

House Bill 178: AI in surveillance and facial recognition

Consider it Montana’s firewall against “Big Brother.". The law restricts the use of AI, noting exemptions for serious crimes. Even so, some fear these restrictions could tie the hands of our local law enforcement officials, in a state where it can take hours to drive from one town to the next.

Senate Bill 25 addresses “deepfakes” on the election side of things

You know, the creepy AI-generated clips that can make it appear like a person (a politician, perhaps) made an outrageous statement? This bill also requires the disclosure of deepfake content in elections. Montana hasn’t encountered a deepfake yet, but lawmakers want to sort out the business before things turn into a crazy futuristic dystopia with John Connor leading the fight against angry robots.

Here’s the rub: AI is a mighty tool

With great power comes great responsibility (thanks, Spider-Man). Lawmakers want to keep AI from turning into a runaway train, or a self-aware supervillain, but they also want to enable its benefits to help with public safety and government services.

Here’s hoping that Montana gets the balance right. Because if we don’t, we may have to call Arnold Schwarzenegger.