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.

Subzero conditions are bringing the chill to the eastern third of the country this week. Strong gusty winds will lead to dangerous wind chills, prompting extreme cold warnings and watches for the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest. More severe weather will be on the way as a major winter storm is expected to impact a huge area from Texas to the East Coast from Friday through the weekend.        President Trump says the framework of a long-term deal on Greenland is in place. Shortly after announcing the deal framework in a post on Truth Social, Trump told reporters the deal gives the U.S. everything it needs. He went on to call it an "infinite deal" that would last "forever."        ICE's latest operation is underway in Maine this week. According to Fox News, authorities arrested more than 50 people on Tuesday and more arrests were taking place on Wednesday. ICE Deputy Assistant Director Patricia Hyde said there are "approximately 14-hundred targets" in Maine, and it comes as part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown against illegal immigrants.        The YouTuber credited by Republicans for uncovering "billions of dollars" in fraud in Minnesota says his peers are done putting up with fraud in the government. Nick Shirley was one of four witnesses to appear before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance. Minnesota Democrat Governor Tim Walz said the firestorm from the fraud investigation was the main reason he's not seeking re-election.        A Navy admiral removed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says she's running for Congress. Three-star admiral Nancy Lacore was the head of the Navy Reserve before Hegseth removed her last August. On Tuesday Lacore registered to run for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District as a Democrat.        Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the U.S. but fewer people are dying from it. That's according to a new report from the American Heart Association. The report shows heart disease death rates have dropped for the first time in five years.       

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