I’m proud to be a Nevadan because Nevada makes things happen. Thanks to our business-friendly policies, our state has emerged as a top state for business and has created a diversified and flourishing economy that we can be proud of. Meanwhile, we lead the pack in industries like entertainment, sports, lithium mining and more. With these advances in mind, the future looks bright for the Silver State. However, to continue this momentum, we must continue the balanced regulatory approach we have taken in recent years.
Artificial intelligence is one area where our state’s balanced approach could make a critical difference. For those who have already adopted AI, it has transformed their capabilities. We’re seeing health care providers leverage it to expand their reach and capabilities, educators wield it to help prepare the next generation for the future and our local transportation authorities employ it to make our roads safer.
As the president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, I am incredibly proud of our state’s openness to cutting-edge innovations like AI. This openness has not only bolstered businesses of every size but also empowered Latino entrepreneurs and community members across Nevada. Ensuring all communities have equitable access to these technologies is crucial, and regulations that create barriers to that access put that equitability at risk.
Recently, the Latin Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted a panel of seasoned experts to explore how AI could play a pivotal role in defining our state’s future, the promising advances already being implemented and the importance of maintaining a pro-growth approach to regulation. Our esteemed panel featured George P. Bush, the former Texas land commissioner; George Chanos, former Nevada Attorney General; Rudy Pamintuan, chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony; Maureen Schafer, CEO of OnKai Health Foundation; and Angela Castro, deputy CEO of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.
One clear takeaway from the panel was that Nevada’s lawmakers need to fully understand AI’s role and impact before considering regulations. While dialogues like the ones we hosted are a start, we’ve seen other states scrupulously study the issue and examine the effect that different policies could have on those developing and deploying AI in their respective states. As we approach the 2025 legislative session, Nevada lawmakers should be wary of overreaching policies without a full understanding of the issue and the impact they could have on Nevada’s economy.
As our state ramps up conversations heading into the next legislative session about guardrails for AI, I hope they consider the insights raised in our recent panel. After all, the last thing Nevada’s economy needs is to stifle the very innovation that can continue to move us forward for decades to come.