Getting a handle on artificial intelligence (AI) before it gets out of control was a major topic at this year's National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Summit in Boston. The conference, its largest ever with over 9,000 state legislators, made it clear that without guardrails, AI could become a serious problem. The conversation was driven by the lessons learned from the rise of social media, where a lack of early regulation led to unforeseen issues.
AI presents both an opportunity and a threat. While it has the potential to improve our lives, it also poses a risk to jobs in education and healthcare. Governments and businesses could see AI as a quick and easy way to cut payroll, healthcare costs and lower taxes.
At a session on the impact of AI and robotics, Nicol Turner Lee of the Brookings Institution, highlighted a critical concern: the people who program and train AI are not necessarily experts in the fields like education or medicine. This can lead to flawed outputs that are not subject to the same rigorous standards as human-led work, such as clinical trials or peer review. In addition, the public often isn't told when AI instead of highly trained humans is being used to make decisions that affect them.
In response to these concerns, states are beginning to pass new AI laws. These laws are designed to help protect the public by requiring transparency in the use of AI. The goal is to ensure people know when and where AI is being used, how its information was reviewed, what rights they have to challenge its outcomes, and to speak with a human expert for a second opinion.
During a session on preparing students for the workforce, AFT President Randi Weingarten emphasized the critical role of Career and Technical Education (CTE). She explained that students and parents love CTE because it gives them "agency" – empowering them with control over their future. By preparing students to enter a rapidly changing workforce due to AI and contribute productively to society, CTE benefits everyone. This helps to strengthen support for public education.
Ultimately, preparing for an AI-driven future requires a dual approach. We need to create clear laws to protect the public while also developing policies that encourage people to support these safeguards. The key is to see AI not as a simple solution for saving money, but as a powerful tool that must be used responsibly to avoid endangering our well-being and livelihoods.
Article by AFT Maryland staff
2025-08-15