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.

The legality of President Trump's widespreading tariffs could be ruled on soon by the Supreme Court. The justices heard the case in early November. The court's decision could have massive implications for American consumers and businesses, the economy and presidential authority.        Freezing temperatures are gripping a large part of the country. Life-threatening wind chill temperatures have already impacted parts of the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Ohio Valley and Northeast. This first wave of arctic air will slightly ease by tomorrow, before another surge of cold air hits the Midwest on Thursday.        President Trump will be in Switzerland today for the World Economic Forum in Davos amid his push to acquire Greenland. His designs on the Danish territory have created unprecedented concerns among NATO allies. Trump has threatened tariffs on European allies that oppose his plans and the EU is considering retaliatory tariffs.        Whether states have the right to ban guns on private property that's open to the public is in the hands of the Supreme Court. At the center of today's case is a Hawaii law that does just that, unless a gun owner has specific permission from the property owner. Similar laws are in effect in California, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey.        Timothy Busfield is going to be edited out of an upcoming Amazon MGM after being charged with multiple counts of child sex abuse .Amazon's "You Deserve Each Other" shows Busfield as a top-billed actor in the project, alongside Penn Badgley and Meghann Fahy. This is the second project involving Busfield to be affected, as an episode of "Law & Order: SVU" was pulled from airing after the allegations came out.        A first-time National Champion has been crowned. The Indiana Hoosiers took down the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the College Football Playoff title game from Hard Rock Stadium. Fernando Mendoza dove for a key rushing touchdown to make it a two-score game in the fourth quarter. Top-ranked Indiana finished a perfect, 16-and-0 on the season.