Arlington, VA — A coalition of over 20 policy organizations has voiced concerns about the proposed “Texas Responsible AI Governance Act” (TRAIGA), draft legislation that aims to regulate the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in the state. In a joint letter to Texas lawmakers, the coalition cautioned that TRAIGA’s stringent regulations and compliance requirements could harm Texas’s flourishing AI sector and deter innovation.
“Though well-intentioned, this draft bill imposes restrictive regulations and burdensome compliance costs that risk stifling Texas’s thriving artificial intelligence (AI) sector,” the coalition noted. “Texas has a unique opportunity to be a leader in AI innovation, but TRAIGA’s approach threatens to undermine that potential.”
The letter also highlighted concerns about similar legislation enacted in Colorado, where Gov. Jared Polis called for a federal standard to avoid the challenges posed by conflicting state regulations.
You can read the full letter here.
Key Takeaways:
- Stifling Innovation: TRAIGA could make Texas less attractive for AI development, particularly for open-source projects critical to innovation.
- Compliance Costs: The proposed mandates risk increasing bureaucracy and imposing unnecessary costs without enhancing innovation.
- Alternative Approaches: Utah’s light-touch AI framework was cited as a model for fostering innovation while avoiding overregulation.
“Rather than impose a costly new regulatory regime that will stifle innovation and competition in the AI space, Texas lawmakers should look to Utah,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and a signatory to the letter.
The coalition urges Texas lawmakers to reconsider TRAIGA and explore alternative frameworks that balance innovation with governance. Adopting a streamlined, innovation-friendly policy, like Utah’s, can preserve Texas’s reputation as a hub for technological advancement and economic growth.
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