Opposition to the Overreaching AI Regulation Bill (HB 1709)
The Texas startup and venture ecosystem has an opportunity to join the opposition on the Overreaching AI Regulation Bill (HB 1709) by using the form below. Following the letter, please sign and share logo information to partake in the public note sharing concerns with our Texas State Legislature.
To: The Texas State Legislature
Subject: Opposition to the Overreaching AI Regulation Bill (HB 1709)
Dear Members of the Texas State Legislature,
We, the undersigned members of the Texas venture capital and startup community, write to express our deep concerns regarding the proposed Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA), designated as HB 1709. While we recognize the importance of ensuring ethical AI practices, we believe that this bill, in its current form, inadvertently stifles innovation and economic growth in our state. Here are our key objections:
1. Economic Impact:The compliance costs associated with the bill's extensive requirements for risk assessments, data reporting, and human oversight could be prohibitive for startups and small businesses. These entities often operate on tight budgets and with limited resources, and such regulations could push them to seek more welcoming regulatory environments outside Texas.
2. Innovation Deterrence: TRAIGA's broad definitions of "high-risk" AI systems and "algorithmic discrimination" could lead to overregulation, discouraging experimentation and innovation. The stringent regulations might prevent the development of new AI technologies that could otherwise flourish under a more balanced regulatory framework.
3. Open-Source Development: The regulations could have a chilling effect on open-source AI projects. These initiatives, which are crucial for fostering community-driven innovation, might find the compliance requirements daunting, thus hampering collaborative tech development that benefits from open-source contributions.
4. Competitive Disadvantage: By imposing what could be the nation's strictest AI regulations, Texas risks becoming less attractive to tech talent and investment, potentially driving tech companies and capital to states with less restrictive policies. This could erode Texas's competitive edge in the burgeoning tech sector.
5. Lack of National Consistency: The bill threatens to create a patchwork of state-level regulations, leading to confusion and increased compliance costs for businesses operating across state lines. A more unified national approach to AI governance would be preferable to prevent Texas from diverging significantly from the rest of the U.S., creating unnecessary complexity for businesses.
Potential for Misinterpretation: The broad language in the bill could lead to misinterpretation or misuse by regulatory bodies, potentially leading to overzealous enforcement that does not reflect the original intent of the legislation.
We urge the legislature to consider a more nuanced approach that promotes ethical AI use while not stifling the state's vibrant tech ecosystem. We recommend:
Thank you for considering our perspective. We look forward to engaging further in this dialogue to help craft a policy that truly benefits the future of technology in Texas.
Opposition Letter Form
To sign this opposition letter, leaving your information below and link/email your logo below. Thanks for your support and please share with your network to help spread the word.