The proposed bill, titled the "Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act," aims to enhance oversight and accountability of artificial intelligence (AI) systems used by state agencies in Rhode Island. It mandates the Department of Administration to conduct an inventory of all AI systems in use by state agencies, which must be completed by December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter. This inventory will include details such as the name of the system, the vendor, a description of its capabilities, whether it has been used to make decisions, and if it underwent an impact assessment prior to implementation. The Department will also make this inventory publicly available on the state's open data portal.

Starting February 1, 2027, the Department of Administration will perform ongoing assessments of AI systems to ensure they do not result in unlawful discrimination or disparate impacts. The bill requires the establishment of policies and procedures governing the development, procurement, implementation, and ongoing assessment of AI systems to safeguard against discrimination.

Additionally, the bill establishes a permanent thirteen-member Artificial Intelligence Commission within the Department of Administration. This commission will monitor the use of AI in state government, continuously study its implications for human welfare, and make recommendations for policy improvements. The commission is tasked with submitting an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate by December 31 of each year. This report will include a description of the commission's activities, findings, and recommendations for regulatory or legislative action, as well as details on the extent of algorithmic decision-making used by the state and progress on previous recommendations.

The act is set to take effect upon passage.