BLEDSOE LEADS KENTUCKY AI
TASK FORCE INTO SECOND PHASE
Task force holds first meeting of 2025 Interim period
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 27, 2025) — Co-chaired by Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, Kentucky’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force reconvened Thursday to kick off a new round of interim discussions focused on responsible innovation, digital safeguards, and potential federal legislation.
“We want Kentucky to lead on artificial intelligence in a way that’s thoughtful, responsible, and grounded in real-world impact,” Bledsoe said following the meeting. “From cybersecurity to education, we’re exploring how this technology affects Kentuckians and how we can shape policy that protects people while embracing innovation.”
The meeting included a presentation from Kate Shanks, senior vice president of public affairs for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, who highlighted evolving federal efforts, including President Donald Trump’s new executive order on AI and the pending federal reconciliation bill, known as the “big beautiful bill.” The bill, in its current form, could tie state access to broadband funding to limitations on the regulation of AI.
Shanks testified that a patchwork of conflicting state-level AI laws could mirror the costly regulatory environment seen with data privacy, citing research that found inconsistent policies have imposed as much as $112 billion in annual costs on American businesses. She warned that money spent navigating inefficiencies often comes at the expense of wages, workforce expansion, and innovation.
The Chamber encouraged lawmakers to consider a flexible, incremental approach to any future state-level AI policy—one that avoids conflicting with existing law, engages industry expertise, and prevents a costly patchwork of regulations.
“There’s a lot of concern when it comes to AI and what implications it could have on our workforce, and that’s completely understandable,” Bledsoe said of the discussion. “I want to be optimistic about the future of this technology—what it can mean for government efficiency, constituent responsiveness, and, in the private sector, how it can propel our nation forward in the digital revolution we’re living through.”
Task force members also received an update on the implementation of Senate Bill 4, which Bledsoe championed and carried to final passage earlier this year, establishing internal guardrails for the use of AI within state government. Officials from the Commonwealth Office of Technology stated that final policy development is nearly complete, and an AI governance committee has been established to oversee implementation. The group is expected to hold its first meeting in July.
The discussion also explored how AI is already being used to strengthen both cybersecurity and public safety. State technology leaders described how AI tools are helping to detect threats and streamline IT operations, including the deployment of upgraded camera systems capable of identifying threats in real-time, particularly in active shooter situations. Kentucky is also advancing toward a "zero-trust" security model—an approach that focuses on safeguarding data at every level, particularly in the context of remote work.
In the classroom, lawmakers highlighted the need to equip students with the skills to use AI effectively and responsibly. While some warned against overreliance on automation, others stressed the importance of teaching critical thinking and media literacy, especially as students increasingly encounter AI-generated misinformation online.
Bledsoe and her fellow co-chair, Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon, invited members to offer ideas for upcoming meetings, which will highlight education policy and energy infrastructure as areas where AI’s impact warrants deeper discussion.
The task force will meet again on July 16. Find full playback of Thursday’s meeting via the LRC Committee Meeting YouTube Channel here.
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Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, represents the 12th Senate District, which includes Boyle, Mercer, and Woodford Counties and part of Fayette County. She is vice chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue and Families and Children Committees. She is co-chair of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity.
During the interim, Bledsoe serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Appropriations and Revenue; Families and Children; Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations; Local Government; and State Government. As Senate budget vice chair, she holds ex officio roles on multiple budget review subcommittees. Additionally, she is a member of the Tobacco Settlement agreement Fund Oversight Committee.
In 2024, Bledsoe co-chaired the AI Task Force, the work of which led to the passage of Senate Bill 4 during the 2025 Legislative Session. The measure established Kentucky’s first set of responsible guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in state agencies.
Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate112.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Bledsoe.
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on Tuesday to start the 2025 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2026 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 6.
The full 2025 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas can be viewed at legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar.
Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.
You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.