Senator Hamilton Holds Interim Study to Protect Children from AI Dangers

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, on Monday hosted an interim study examining the potential dangers of artificial intelligence to children and ways to better protect young Oklahomans as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in society.

“The overarching purpose of this study was to find ways for us to better protect children, who are among the most vulnerable,” Senator Hamilton said. “As we enter the age of artificial intelligence, we must meet the moment. We can’t bury our heads in the sand. AI is here to stay, and we need to recognize its benefits while also understanding and addressing the societal problems that can come with it."

Hamilton introduced legislation this year to put reasonable guardrails around the use of AI chatbots as technology continues to evolve rapidly. His bill sought to establish necessary regulations for platforms with AI chatbots that interact with minors, including parental management tools and resources to direct youth experiencing mental health challenges to the appropriate crisis services.

“While AI can be useful in some instances, it can be corrosive in others," Hamilton added. "It is our job as leaders to make sure we are incorporating this technology in the right way while protecting our young men and women. I appreciate our presenters and committee members for their attention to this important issue, as well as Senate staff for their hard work in making this study possible. The goal is not to stop technology or prevent innovation. The goal is to make sure we are being responsible stewards of these tools and doing everything we can to keep our children safe.”

Speakers at the study held before the Senate Technology and Telecommunications Committee included Ryan Montgomery, founder and CEO of Pentester.com, a cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker and child safety advocate.

Montgomery is known for his efforts to expose online child predators and has appeared on several national media outlets, including “The Shawn Ryan Show,” to discuss online child safety and the online threats facing children.

Jay Paul Gumm, communications director for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, also presented during the study.

The study highlighted the importance of taking a bipartisan approach to protecting children from the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

The full study and complete remarks from the presenters can be found at oksenate.gov/live-proceedings.