New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a new policy to guide state government employees in their use of generative artificial intelligence. The policy, announced on November 17, is a continuation of other work the state has been doing in this area. This includes the establishment of an artificial intelligence task force in October 2023. The task force was created by executive order to assess the potential impact of artificial intelligence and provide recommendations to guide the ethical use of the technology for the government.
Source Note: The image is generated by AI, and the image is authorized by Midjourney
“Providing this guidance is just one example of how our public servants can take advantage of innovative technologies like artificial intelligence,” Murphy said in the announcement.FirstIn addition, the State Innovation Office, in partnership with InnovateUS, has released an explainer video designed to help guide public sector professionals in the use of AI. This video is just one of a wide-ranging training program that will be rolled out soon.FirstThe state's first AI training program, called AI for the U.S., is now available, with plans to train state staff on the development, use and risks of artificial intelligence. More training programs will be launched next year, including a free self-study AI training course and live workshops. The self-study training program is also the result of a partnership between InnovateUS and the state's Office of Innovation.
“Generative AI has the potential to unlock new opportunities for the public sector… To realize this potential, we must invest in training public servants to use emerging technologies in ways that are responsible, fair, and safe,” Chief Innovation Officer Beth Simone Noveck said in the announcement.
The new policy is designed to ensure that state employees use generative AI tools appropriately and with transparency. It also requires independent fact-checking of the output of generative AI tools. Finally, the policy ensures that no confidential or protected information is shared or disclosed.
The policy announced Friday fulfills Executive Order 346, which directed the Office of Information Technology to develop policies to help govern and promote the use of artificial intelligence technologies by state departments and agencies.