The Illinois Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force has released a new report highlighting the effects of Gen AI technologies in Illinois.
The report provides in-depth analysis on the effects of Gen AI on labor and the workforce, civil rights and civil liberties, consumer protections, the environment, education, cybersecurity, and public service delivery. The report also offers recommendations for AI regulations and standards in the state.
“This report serves as both a call to action and a roadmap for ensuring that generative AI is harnessed responsibly in Illinois,” said state Rep. Adelnasser Rashid, co-chair of the task force, “We need to foster innovation, while safeguarding against the very real risks that AI poses to privacy, equity, and public trust. Technology can be used to uplift – but only if there is transparency and accountability.”
The report also features policy recommendations that the task force said are designed to balance the “innovative potential of generative AI with the need for strong safeguards for individuals and families.”
Key recommendations include:
- Supporting Workers: Implementing proactive measures to reskill workers, protect labor rights, and mitigate economic displacement caused by AI automation.
- Safeguarding Civil Rights: Cracking down on algorithmic discrimination in hiring, housing, banking, healthcare, and other industries to ensure that AI does not perpetuate and amplify systemic bias and racism.
- Protecting Democracy: Regulating the use of deepfakes in political ads and communications to safeguard against misinformation and inference in our elections.
- Enhancing Privacy and Consumer Rights. Strengthening data protection laws and implementing privacy-first principles in AI applications to safeguard consumers’ rights and data.
- Fostering Sustainable AI Development: Encouraging the development of energy-efficient, low-carbon AI technologies to minimize environmental impacts.
“Generative AI presents both immense challenges and opportunities,” said state Sen. Robert Peters, co-chair of the task force, “This report is a crucial step toward ensuring Illinois can harness this technology responsibly, protecting our workers, our privacy and our environment. We must lead with clear standards to make sure AI serves the public good, not just corporate interests.”
The report is the result of collaborative research efforts, expert consultations, and public input by the bipartisan task force, consisting of legislators, technology experts, educators and other stakeholders.
The task force noted that Rep. Rashid will be asking the Illinois General Assembly to extend the task force into the future to allow for ongoing monitoring of the effects of AI in Illinois.
“As we embrace generative AI and Natural Language Processing, we must recognize the unique cybersecurity risks they pose to our institutions and users,” said Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Sanjay Gupta. “Our report emphasizes the need for robust security measures and proactive approach to effectively mitigate these risks. By doing so, we can harness the power of AI to improve public services and operational efficiency for all Illinois residents.”
