With artificial intelligence (AI) surging into the public sphere over the last couple of years, a lot of Americans – including private companies and the average consumer – have embraced this technology. James Madison Institute (JMI), a think tank dedicated to “the ideas of limited government, economic freedom, federalism and individual liberty coupled with individual responsibility,” has come out in support of AI for government use on both a statewide and national scale.
This briefing comes from the angle that perhaps the government could be redetermined through the use of AI, making it more efficient and effective for the people it represents.
“Artificial Intelligence has the power to streamline state government operations, not just here in Florida, but across the country. In releasing this policy brief, JMI hopes to illuminate the ways emerging technologies can make government work better for citizens in the coming years. We also hope to show why state lawmakers should be embracing these technologies and not rejecting them,” said Dr. Edward Longe, Director of the Center for Technology & Innovation at the James Madison Institute.
He would also bring up an example of how AI could benefit the State of Florida and its citizens in his piece for JMI.
“Despite having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the United States and one of the healthiest job markets, there were approximately 353,000 Floridians who were unemployed in March 2024. For those out of work, the State of Florida offers $275 per week in unemployment insurance for 12 weeks. Like most states administering unemployment benefits, applicants must submit several documents and pieces of evidence to prove eligibility. In 2024, adjudicators in Florida took between two to six weeks to make a final determination,” wrote Dr. Longe.
He continued, “However, applications with incomplete evidence or missing documents can delay adjudication, causing bottlenecks that delay cases and increase employee workload. While the adjudication process will always require human review, Machine Learning AI programs could be used to accelerate the process.”
The federal government isn’t completely behind, though. In February, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) created the House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.
He tagged Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) among others to serve on the task force.
Rep. Lee wrote, “Artificial intelligence is a cornerstone of innovation, allowing us to advance far beyond any limits of human capability. Because of quick advancements in AI, it is important for Congress to remain diligent and plan for complexities to keep a competitive edge … I look forward to working with my colleagues in a bipartisan way to promote policies, standards, and resources that will benefit and protect Americans while continuing to support innovation in AI.”
