S.C. (WCSC) — As artificial intelligence continues to expand into everyday life, South Carolina lawmakers are beginning a long-term effort to determine what role the state should play in regulating the rapidly evolving technology
A newly formed Senate Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence held its first meeting Wednesday, beginning what lawmakers say will be a multi-year examination of AI’s impact on state government, education, law enforcement and other public sectors.
The committee’s mission is to better understand artificial intelligence and ultimately make recommendations on whether South Carolina should adopt regulations or expand the technology’s use within government operations.
One challenge facing lawmakers is that South Carolina does not currently have a legal definition of artificial intelligence. Legislative staff told committee members that 33 states have adopted definitions in law, while South Carolina remains among the 17 states that have not.
Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, said lawmakers expect AI to continue evolving, and many other states have already gone through similar processes.
“As AI evolves, there’s going to be more involvement for AI in state government… education, law enforcement, various other state agencies,” Young said.
Throughout the hearing, senators questioned University of South Carolina professors about both the capabilities and potential risks of artificial intelligence. Topics included whether AI systems could exhibit bias, become sentient or operate outside of human control.
Sen. Matt Leber said lawmakers are trying to address concerns before potential problems emerge.
“They [constituents] want us to get involved before the toaster burns the house down. That’s the crux of the matter,” Leber said.
While lawmakers have introduced several AI-related bills in recent years, South Carolina has passed few AI-specific laws and does not have a comprehensive regulatory framework governing the technology.
At the same time, some experts urged lawmakers to embrace artificial intelligence as a tool that could improve government operations.
Homayoun Valafar, director of the University of South Carolina’s AI Institute, encouraged the committee to consider broader adoption of the technology.
“I think as a committee and the state of South Carolina, we should embrace it. We should incorporate it where we can. It’s going to save money. It’s going to increase efficiency,” Valafar said.
Still, lawmakers acknowledged the technology raises significant policy questions and concerns from some, and members say the committee’s work will focus on determining how AI should be used responsibly within government and other public sectors.
“This is something that we really need to put some thought into as we evolve through this in the coming months,” Young said.
The committee is scheduled to continue its work through 2028, although members say they hope to have recommendations prepared well before then.
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