Washington Business Spring 2024 | Page 33

AI Startups
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Kelly Fukai of the Washington Technology Industry Association moderated the AI for Business panel at the 2024 Spring Meeting in Vancouver .
of the bill to establish an AI task force . “ This has the opportunity to be the next industry … AI is going to be one of those economies we want to drive .”
AI is already a crucial tool for businesses and their employees . More than two-thirds of employers in AWB ’ s winter survey say they have explored potential uses for AI .
Washington retailers , for example , are using AI to help with loss prevention , inventory forecasting , price optimization , and self-checkout , said Crystal Leatherman , local and state government affairs manager with the Washington Retail Association .
“ Retail has been one of the earliest adopters of AI , innovating it , using it , and helping to improve the technology ,” she said . She agrees the task force is the best option to decide where to place guardrails without hindering innovation .
At a Senate Labor & Commerce work session last fall , Stephanie Beers , assistant general counsel for Microsoft , said the company conducted a survey on AI ’ s impacts defining ai
Seattle has

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“ This has the opportunity to be the next industry . AI is going to be one of those economies we want to drive .”
— Sen . Joe Nguyen , D-White Center , sponsor of Senate Bill 5838 , which established an AI task force .
A key feature of AI legislation should be clear definitions for AI and its related terms , including generative AI , automated decisions and machine learning . AWB recommends lawmakers use the evidence-based standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology .
This approach will help create consistent and cohesive AI standards and avoid a patchwork of state regulations .
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