Georgia has enacted House Bill 147, requiring state agencies to track and report AI use annually. The law creates a state definition for AI and places the Georgia Technology Authority as the oversight body. An AI Advisory Council guides implementation, while an AI Innovation Lab will open in 2025. The state launched AI.Georgia.Gov as a resource hub featuring ethical guidelines. Georgia’s bipartisan approach offers a model for government AI accountability.
As Georgia moves forward with its ambitious artificial intelligence plans, the state has taken major steps to oversee how AI is used in government. House Bill 147, which passed unanimously in the state house, now requires annual tracking of all AI use by Georgia agencies. The bill creates a legal definition of AI for Georgia and puts the Georgia Technology Authority in charge of overseeing AI applications. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Brad Thomas, received unanimous support reflecting bipartisan agreement on responsible AI governance.
The state has established an AI Advisory Council that brings together leaders from state agencies, educational institutions, and the private sector. This council offers guidance on AI application and has developed ethics principles for state organizations. It’s part of Georgia’s AI Office, which was created in 2023.
Georgia is also building an AI Innovation Lab, set to open in late January 2025. Located in the Georgia Technology Authority building, the lab will serve as a collaborative space for agencies and partners to work on AI projects. The state selected partners through a process that received responses from 70 vendors. These efforts reflect a growing commitment to establishing accountability measures that ensure AI systems remain fair and transparent.
Georgia’s AI Innovation Lab will bring together government agencies and tech partners in a collaborative workspace starting January 2025.
In December 2024, Georgia launched AI.Georgia.Gov, a website that serves as the central hub for the state’s AI efforts. The site provides an overview of Georgia’s principles for ethical AI use and includes a glossary of key AI concepts.
A Senate Study Committee on AI completed its work in December 2024, producing a 185-page report with 22 recommendations. The committee suggested forming a state board for AI and collaborating with other states on interstate AI compacts.
Another measure, the AI Accountability Act (Senate Bill 37), would require state and local governments to develop AI system usage plans. However, this bill has stalled in committee after facing opposition from U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, who cited federal jurisdiction concerns.
The ethical AI guidelines developed by the Georgia Technology Authority emphasize fairness, accountability, and transparency. They require human oversight in AI decision-making and prohibit using AI for surveillance without legal authorization. Agencies must also conduct impact assessments on their AI systems to evaluate potential risks and benefits.
The guidelines also mandate staff training on AI capabilities and limitations.
