 | BY KELLY GARRITY AND LISA KASHINSKY | REGULATE AI? HERE’S WHAT THE AI HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT — Beacon Hill is wading into the artificial intelligence debate today as lawmakers hear testimony on a bill to regulate generative AI models. The bill’s co-author? ChatGPT. Proposed by state Sen. Barry Finegold, “An Act drafted with the help of ChatGPT to regulate generative artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT” would require companies to disclose their algorithms and data collection practices to the attorney general’s office, run regular risk assessments and program in a watermark to help prevent plagiarism. To prepare for the hearing, Playbook asked the bot behind the bill to weigh its pros and cons. We fed the text of Finegold’s bill into ChatGPT and asked it to draft arguments to present to state lawmakers. Here’s some of what it spit out: Pros: — Protecting privacy and intellectual property rights: The bill would “ensure AI systems do not pose risks to public safety” and “emphasizes the importance of protecting individuals' privacy and intellectual property rights.” — Preventing bias in AI systems: “By addressing concerns about algorithmic bias and discrimination, the bill seeks to promote fair and unbiased AI systems” … “to ensure equal opportunities and protect against the negative impacts of biased AI decision-making.” Cons: — Potentially stifling tech innovation: The bill “may introduce bureaucratic burdens that stifle innovation … impede progress, limit experimentation, and discourage investment in AI research and development.” — AI advancements could outpace regulations: “Outdated regulations may lag behind emerging risks or fail to leverage new opportunities presented by AI advancements, requiring ongoing efforts to ensure regulatory frameworks remain effective and relevant.” Playbook read some of the highlights generated by ChatGPT to Finegold. He seemed impressed: “I think it’s done a pretty good job arguing both sides.” But Beacon Hill doesn’t seem to be in any rush to regulate AI. Outside groups’ advocacy efforts appear to be more focused these days on a different aspect of tech regulation: data privacy. And, Finegold said, there’s an onus on the feds to create the guardrails for AI. If they don't, a patchwork of state laws might emerge that Finegold believes could make ChatGPT and its brethren “almost impossible to regulate." “AI is everywhere now and it’s in every aspect of our lives,” the senator told Playbook. “So I just think people are trying to put their arms around it.”
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OpenAI's ChatGPT | Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images | GOOD THURSDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Are you using AI at the State House? Tell us how it’s going: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey is in Atlantic City for the National Governors Association annual meeting. Acting Gov. Kim Driscoll is at Greenfield Public Library at 10 a.m., visits Natural Roots Farm to survey storm damage at 10:45 a.m. in Conway and holds a press conference on MassHealth redetermination at 1:30 p.m. at the MassHealth Enrollment Center in Worcester. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu visits Robert A. Georgine Towers at 10 a.m. in Charlestown and WHOOP HQ at 4 p.m. in Kenmore Square.
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| — TRAVEL LOG: Gov. Maura Healey ’s travel itinerary for the rest of the week keeps growing. She’s in Atlantic City today for the National Governors Association annual meeting. She flies to Michigan tomorrow to meet with the Michigan Women’s Commission and “fellow governors,” per her office. She plans to return Sunday. That will bring the total number of nights Healey has spent outside of Massachusetts since being sworn in to 31. — SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMER: Representatives have a budget to vote on today, just not the one we’re all waiting for. House Democrats introduced a $693 million supplemental spending plan yesterday that would send $180 million in “urgently needed” support to struggling hospitals and give the DPU the flexibility to approve updated contracts for the New England Clean Energy Connect hydropower project. It would also extend the state’s horse race simulcasting authorization for five years. More from the Boston Herald . — PRINCE OF DARKNESS REIGNS: Secretary of State Bill Galvin has been named eastern region VP for the National Association of Secretaries of State. He’ll hold the post through summer 2024. — “Biz groups push back on $20 minimum wage proposal,” by Christian M. Wade, Eagle-Tribune: “A report released by the National Federation of Independent Businesses estimates that a legislative proposal seeking to raise the state’s wage floor from $15 to $20 per hour by 2027 would cost an estimated 23,000 jobs — or 0.5% of the state’s employment base — many of them among small business owners.” — “Campbell cautions against headlong rush to online lottery,” by Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine.
| | MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| — “State to expand ‘welcome centers’ for homeless and migrant families amid influx of new arrivals,” by Samantha J. Gross, Boston Globe: “As more homeless and migrant families in need of shelter and other assistance arrive in Massachusetts, the state’s Office for Refugees and Immigrants is planning to open more central entry points ‘in the coming weeks’ to allow more families to receive resources.”
| | FROM THE HUB |
| — “Before crashing into Jamaica Plain house, police say Councilor Lara was driving double the speed limit,” by Danny McDonald and Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: “Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara was driving at least 53 miles per hour on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain when she crashed an unregistered, uninsured car into the front of a house on a Friday afternoon last month, according to police documents obtained by the Globe Wednesday. The report also revealed that Lara has not had a valid Massachusetts driver’s license since 2013, when it was suspended after she failed to pay a fine for not wearing a seatbelt.” — NEW NEWSROOM INCUBATING: Yawu Miller , former managing editor for the Bay State Banner, and Claudio Martinez will build a local news operation for communities of color in Greater Boston as part of the American Journalism Project’s news incubator .
| | THE RACE FOR CITY HALL |
| — “Progressive councilors facing challengers,” by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: “Michael Flaherty’s sudden announcement that he would not seek re-election to the City Council — little more than a week after signatures were due — has cast a spotlight on the race for the four at-large seats on the 13-member body. With candidates in at-large and district races bringing a broad spectrum of ideologies — from a pair opposed to vaccines to a democratic socialist — the ideological balance of the council could shift radically when the new members are seated next year.” — “Baker endorses FitzGerald as District 3 successor,” by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter. — “Five people have stepped forward to run for Pittsfield's mayor. How many of them will make the ballot?” by Meg Britton-Mehlisch, Berkshire Eagle: “Candidates for Pittsfield city offices have just nine days to pass the first hurdle between them and the ballot box. As that deadline draws near, one of the biggest names in the city's mayoral races has yet to pass that obstacle: [former City Council vice president] John Krol.”
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| — “Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unconstitutional, legal group tells high court,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “Bay State Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s brainchild is coming under attack. A Massachusetts-based civil rights organization has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is unconstitutional as established, too powerful, and must be reined in under congressional control. According to an amicus friend-of-court brief filed by the New England Legal Foundation with the high court, the fact that the agency wields such ‘extraordinary’ power without needing to go through Congress for funding is plainly at odds with the law.”
| | PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES |
| — READY, SET, GO: The Daily Item sent four reporters racing from Lynn to Boston on four different transportation modes to see which one would get them to North Station the fastest during the Sumner Tunnel shutdown. The Commuter Rail won.
| | DAY IN COURT |
| — “Prosecutors won’t seek death penalty against men charged in Whitey Bulger’s prison killing,” by Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press: “Federal prosecutors will not pursue the death penalty against two men charged with the prison killing of notorious Boston gangster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger, according to court papers filed Wednesday.”
| | FROM THE 413 |
| — “Healey visits Western Mass. to see communities impacted by heavy rain, flooding,” by Josh Landes, WAMC: “The severity of the rain and subsequent flooding made North Adams one of the Massachusetts communities forced to declare a state of emergency. With upwards of 20 streets washed out, countless overloaded culverts, and the city’s flood control system pushed to its limit, [Mayor Jennifer] Macksey estimates that it will cost at least $2 million for the cleanup. ‘Governor, we just need help,’ she told Healey.” Despite all the damage , it’s unclear whether Massachusetts will cross the $12.4 million threshold needed to qualify for federal disaster aid. Healey, who arrived by helicopter to survey the storm damage, said the state’s emergency management agency is still assessing the extent of the destruction that’s washed out roads and wiped out crops.
| | THE LOCAL ANGLE |
| — “Dangerous complications are increasing for pregnant patients in Mass., report finds,” by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, WBUR: “State officials are tracking an alarming increase in health complications related to pregnancy and birth in Massachusetts, especially for Black patients. The rate of these unexpected, life-threatening complications nearly doubled in a decade, from 2011 to 2020, according to a new report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.” — “School officials likely violated campaign finance laws, Town Counsel says,” by Sam Mintz, Brookline News: “Several Brookline school officials likely violated campaign finance law by sending out emails to parents with information about ballot questions ahead of the May election, according to Brookline town counsel Joseph Callanan.”
| | HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH |
| TRANSITIONS — Mike Cusher is now director of external affairs for the Department of Transitional Assistance. — Christian Kelly joins the Mass Cultural Council’s public affairs team as PR and events manager. — Cyndi Roy Gonzalez will succeed Olivia Mathews as executive director of Girls on the Run Greater Boston on July 18. — Barbara Hayes has been named the new executive director of The Boston Club . — WCVB president and general manager Kyle Grimes is now VP of New England for Hearst Television . — Anna Duffy starts as highway deputy chief of staff at MassDOT’s Highway Division on July 17. She most recently was comms director for state Rep. Jim O’Day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Amanda Hunter , executive director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, Nick Newburger and Barry Posen. NEW HORSE RACE ALERT: BALLOTS FIRED!!! — State House News Service's Chris Lisinski joins hosts Jennifer Smith and Lisa Kashinsky to break down some potential ballot questions for 2024, including legalizing psychedelics. Plus, Maura Healey wades into the gubernatorial troll wars. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud . Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com . | |
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