Washington state legislators have introduced two new bills aimed at bringing greater transparency to artificial intelligence systems. The proposed legislation seeks to establish guidelines for both AI development and content identification as the technology continues to see widespread adoption.
The first bill, HB 1168, would require companies developing AI systems to provide documentation and disclosure about the data used to train their models. This measure is designed to give users better insight into what information shapes these AI tools, though it includes carve-outs for certain sectors including security, aviation, military and defense applications.
A second piece of legislation, HB 1170, focuses on helping users identify AI-generated content. This bill would specifically apply to companies operating AI systems that reach more than one million monthly users within Washington state. The proposal explicitly excludes various forms of entertainment media, including video games, television programming, streaming content, films and interactive experiences.
Legal experts note similarities between these proposals and
legislation passed in California last year addressing AI transparency and detection capabilities. However, Barb Rhoads-Weaver, an attorney at Focal Law specializing in data protection and privacy, points out that both states’ approaches leave some key concerns unaddressed. Among these is the lack of provisions allowing developers to protect proprietary information and trade secrets.
Seattle attorney Ian Crosby, who focuses on AI law, suggests the Washington proposals could go further in addressing copyright concerns. He argues that companies developing AI models should be required to clearly disclose which copyrighted works were used in training, particularly if they believe their use falls under fair use provisions.
The relationship between AI training data and copyright protection has become increasingly contentious, as evidenced by ongoing legal battles involving major tech companies. One notable case currently in litigation involves OpenAI, Microsoft, and The New York Times.
The bills are being sponsored by four Democratic state
representatives: Cindy Ryu, Clyde Shavers, Jamila Taylor, and Mary Fosse. Both Ryu and Shavers previously demonstrated their commitment to AI policy by signing an open letter from the Multistate AI Policymaker Working Group advocating for legislative action on artificial intelligence.
These proposals follow Washington’s previous efforts to regulate AI technology, including the passage of a law addressing deepfake pornography last year. Several other AI-related bills were introduced during the last legislative session but failed to pass.
The state has already taken steps to address AI governance through the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Task Force, of which Representative Shavers is a member. This initiative demonstrates Washington’s ongoing commitment to developing comprehensive AI policy frameworks.
The proposed legislation comes at a time when states across the country are grappling with how to effectively regulate AI technology while balancing innovation with public interest. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of daily life, these bills represent part of a broader effort to establish clear guidelines and protect consumer interests in the AI era.
Washington’s approach to AI regulation reflects growing awareness of the need for transparency in how artificial intelligence systems are developed and deployed, particularly as these technologies become increasingly prevalent in both public and private sectors.