Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Sen. Gu to chair Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

 

STATE HOUSE — Sen. Victoria Gu will chair the newly created Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies for the 2024-2025 legislative session.

A Westerly resident, Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) earned a degree in Computer Science from Harvard University and spent seven years as a software engineer and data analyst.

“I am humbled and honored to lead the Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies and I want to thank President Ruggerio for his confidence,” said Senator Gu. “The rapid expansion of AI and other technologies across society has left lawmakers across the nation scrambling to design the legal and regulatory frameworks necessary to allow our residents to benefit from these powerful new tools while protecting them from their potential dangers. The last few weeks have also underscored the importance of keeping pace with rapid technological changes and cybersecurity risks that impact Rhode Islanders. The timely creation of this committee shows that Rhode Island legislators understand the importance of this moment. I look forward to the important work that awaits us.”

The Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies will consider legislation and matters relating to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and their societal, ethical and policy implications.

Senator Gu has served in the Senate since 2023, when she and Senator Linda Ujifusa were the first Asian-Americans elected to the General Assembly in Rhode Island history. In addition to chairing this committee, she will continue to serve on the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government.

At least 42 people have been killed in severe storms that struck parts of the South and Midwest over the weekend. Many states woke up this morning to damage left behind by wildfires, rain, tornadoes and dust storms. The National Weather Service says at least 34 of the storms seen on Saturday were tornadoes with states like Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana all being impacted.        President Trump is saying some of the pardons issued by former President Biden are invalid. In a Truth Social post early Monday, Trump said he was declaring Biden's pardons for members of the January 6th House select committee "void, vacant, and of no further force or effect, because of the fact that they were done by autopen." He also alleged Biden had no knowledge about the pardons.        Federal authorities say the Rhode Island doctor who was deported to Lebanon had what are described as "sympathetic" photos of Iran's supreme leader on her phone. Doctor Rasha Alawieh was initially detained Thursday when she arrived at Logan International Airport in Boston after a two-week visit with her family in Lebanon. A federal court hearing on her status scheduled for this morning was continued until next week to give her attorney additional time to prepare.        The White House is dyeing the North Lawn fountain green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The fountain could be seen with its bright emerald green water on Monday. The tradition began in 2009 by the Obamas.        New evidence in the death of Gene Hackman is changing the timeline of the actor and his wife's final days. The pair died of natural causes and were discovered February 26th. New cell phone records show Betsy Hackman made several calls to a medical center on February 12th, pushing her estimated deceased date forward.        Rory Mcllroy [[ mack-el-roy ]] is the winner of The Players Championship in Florida. Mcllroy defeated JJ Spaun this morning in a three-hole playoff to win his second Players title. Spaun was able to tie Mcllroy yesterday during the final round at 12-under-par to force the playoff today.       

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