Includes whereas clauses.
Enacts Article 11, Artificial Intelligence Learning Laboratory, of GS Chapter 114. Defines eight terms. Creates the Office of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy (Office) within the Department of Commerce (Department). Charges the Secretary of the Department with oversight of the Office and appointment of the Director. States seven purposes of the Office, including (1) identifying regulatory barriers to AI development, deployment, and use in the State and recommended regulatory proposals to remove or avoid those barriers, and (2) creating and administering an AI Learning Laboratory program (Lab). Lists minimum components that must be addressed by rules adopted under the Article. Requires the Office to maintain a registry of Lab participants and publish summary reports of research findings, best practices, and policy recommendations, subject to listed exclusions. Directs the Office to annually report to the NCGA. Details required contents of the report.
Requires every State agency to compile an inventory of all AI technologies that are in use by the State agency or being developed or considered by the State agency for use. Requires the Office to prescribe a form for State agency use for compilation by March 1, 2026, with agencies required to complete and submit their inventory to the specified persons, entities, and committee by October 1, 2026. Lists 12 criteria the inventory must address as to each AI technology included in a State agency's inventory. Directs the Office to consult with relevant State agencies to conduct an analysis of the existing regulatory governance of AI technology in the State by January 1, 2027. Details required components of the Office's analysis, including (1) prescribed reviews, assessments, and identifications relating to the contents of the inventory, and (2) submission of the Office's analysis to the specified persons, entities, and NCGA committee. 
Establishes the AI Learning Laboratory Program (Lab). Lists five purposes of the Lab, including (1) analyzing and researching the benefits, risks, impacts, and policy implications of AI technologies to inform the state regulatory framework, and (2) analyzing how AI technologies affect individual rights, fairness, and the public interest, as described. Requires the Office to periodically set a learning agenda for the Lab specifying the areas of AI policy to study. Provides for the initial learning agenda and allows the Office to consult with stakeholders in establishing agendas. Directs the Office to establish procedures and requirements for invitations and requests for Lab participation. Deems open-source projects eligible for participation. Lists required considerations of participant selection. Directs the Office to work with participants to establish benchmarks and assess outcomes of participation in the Lab.
Conditions participation upon approved applicants entering into a participation agreement with the Office and relevant State agencies. Details requirements of the agreement as well as participant recordkeeping and reporting. Allows participants to apply for regulatory mitigation pursuant to a regulatory mitigation agreement between the participant who uses or wants to use AI technology in the State, and the Office and relevant State agencies. Lists six criteria for eligibility for regulatory mitigation. Details requirements of the agreement and requires the Office to consult with relevant agencies regarding appropriate terms. Allows the Office to consult relevant agencies or outside experts regarding an application for regulatory mitigation. Caps the term of an initial regulatory mitigation agreement at 12 months, with an optional one-time 12-month extension as specified. Provides for application of legal and regulatory requirements not expressly waived or modified by the regulatory mitigation agreement. Authorizes the Office to remove a participant at any time and for any reason. Specifies that participants have no property right or license to participate in the Lab. Deems a participating demonstrating AI technology that violates legal or regulatory requirements, taking into account any regulatory mitigation agreement, or violates the terms of the participation agreement, to be immediately removed and subject to all applicable civil and criminal penalties. Provides for the legal affects of participation and provides for State immunity for any claims arising out of a participant's involvement in the Lab.