As concerns rise about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence, Illinois has passed what an executive of one AI advocacy group called “the strongest AI safety law in the country.”
Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, which includes provisions similar to laws passed in California and New York.
The law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027, implements a framework for large AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, both of which supported the bill.
Under the law, companies must publicly disclose safety practices and report safety incidents, with Illinois also becoming the first state to require third-party audits of AI systems.
Violations carry penalties of $1 million initially and up to $3 million for each subsequent violation.
The measure also offers new protections for workers who disclose potential AI safety issues.
“This bipartisan law is about putting responsible safeguards in place before a preventable catastrophe occurs,” State Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Grayslake, said in a news release.
Pritzker said he and members of his office use AI “almost every day,” but he and state lawmakers said they understand the dangers it poses.
Lawmakers may take up more AI regulations during the veto session later this year.
“AI is still raising prices for online purchases. It’s still having too great an impact on our utility bills and natural resources. It still challenges the way we access accurate information and how we make critical decisions in our democracy,” said Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
Edly-Allen mentioned other ways she believes the technology could be harmful, including fraud, election interference and cyber threats.
Illinois lawmakers have already approved measures to address AI in hiring, deepfake pornography and protections for artists whose voices are used by AI without their consent.
Edly-Allen told NBC Chicago she would like to address AI related to education and child safety, including concerns about mental health issues and the use of chatbots.
“If we got social media wrong, and we did, we cannot afford to get AI wrong at an even greater scale,” Edly-Allen said.
Source: NBC 5 Chicago
