With Congress yet to pass broad regulation of artificial intelligence, Michigan is among the states moving ahead with its own guardrails.

Local AI regulation is taking shape in Michigan, with a 2024 resolution on preventing bias and new statutes on AI-generated election content.

Anjana Susarla, professor of responsible AI at Michigan State University, pointed to a policy in one western state addressing the everyday use of AI.

“In the state of Utah, the Artificial Intelligence Policy Act,” Susarla explained. “If you are talking to an AI chatbot, that you should clearly know that. There has to be some disclosure around the use of AI.”

Among Michiganders age 50 and older, 55% reported using AI tools, and 91% said they want to know if the information comes from a human or from artificial intelligence. Susarla noted disclosure and transparency are becoming the foundation of state-level guardrails, especially where AI is used to deliver government services.

Nationally, there has been a surge in state-level AI regulation activity. The latest Stanford University report shows state AI laws have doubled in the last year, up to 131, from 49 in 2023. However, Susarla pointed out there are still big questions lawmakers haven’t figured out.

“Some of the privacy issues are still kind of there,” Susarla outlined. “That’s kind of an open question, really, how much privacy do we have? Do we need some comprehensive understanding of privacy risks when we are using AI tools?”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, all 50 states have seen AI-related legislation introduced this year.