Merski appointed to Joint State Government Commission’s AI Advisory Committee

ERIE, Aug.19 – State Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie, announced today that he has been appointed to serve on the Joint State Government Commission’s Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence.

The new committee is the result of Merski’s resolution – adopted by the Pennsylvania House in July – directing the commission to establish an advisory committee to study and evaluate recent developments in AI and its impact on Pennsylvanians.

“I’m glad to see the new committee formed, and I’m honored that Speaker Joanna McClinton has appointed me to serve,” Merski said. “The use of AI has skyrocketed over the past year, and with it has come a spate of misinformation, including fake news, ‘deepfake’ videos and other content designed to spread lies and perpetrate fraud. With so many folks relying on the internet for critical information, we need to develop better guardrails for the use of AI and ways to educate folks about how they can better protect themselves online.

“We also need to study the impacts that AI will have on jobs. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and continue that work with my colleagues on the committee.”

Merski’s bill that would require a disclosure on all AI-generated content passed the House in April. He has also introduced legislation that would ban the misuse of AI in political campaigns 90 days before an election.