By: Hannah Cornett

From December 5-6, 2023, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) hosted its annual Capital Forum in Washington D.C., marking the organization’s final major event of the year. The forum, attended by 29 AGs from various states and territories, included several panels addressing the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications in legal and government contexts. Highlights included the presidential transition from Ohio AG Dave Yost to Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum, who introduced her 2024 initiative, “America’s Youth: Attorneys General Looking Out for the Next Generation.” The forum featured a range of panels focusing on timely and critical topics, including: the development and implementation of AI strategies in government, approaches to public safety in the era of AI, healthcare initiatives in battling the opioid epidemic, the evolving role of state governments in internet policy, recent developments in the US Supreme Court, AI and child exploitation, and joint state-federal efforts in curbing illegal robocalls.

The forum’s discussions underscored the increasing relevance of AI across different sectors, focusing on both the opportunities and challenges it presents. One discussion led by Iowa AG Brenna Bird and New Jersey AG Matt Platkin centered on the integration of AI in legal discovery and government operations, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and thorough training for effective AI deployment. Another panel, moderated by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, examined the role of states in shaping internet policy, stressing the need for a balanced approach to privacy and AI regulation through cooperative federalism.  The forum also included insights on recent developments in the US Supreme Court and a collaborative panel on state healthcare initiatives in fighting the opioid epidemic. The forum was well attended and offered valuable insight into issues the AGs will likely prioritize in 2024.