LEXINGTON — At a public event on the University of Kentucky campus, state legislators discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) could reshape Kentucky’s workforce and daily life.
The conversation, held in front of the university’s Board of Trustees, spotlighted both the promise and challenges of integrating AI into government operations.
The event followed the recent passing of Senate Bill 4, a new law setting rules for how state agencies should use AI and report that usage to an oversight body. The bill, sponsored by Sen.
Amanda Mays Bledsoe (R-Lexington), gained bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear in March.
The AI policies outlined in the bill stem from discussions by a legislative task force led by Bledsoe and Rep. Josh Bray (R-Mount Vernon).
In November, the group released 11 key recommendations for the 2025 legislative session.
During the panel, lawmakers focused on AI’s practical benefits for Kentucky residents. They mentioned AI tools that could help schedule doctor appointments or act as virtual tutors in schools.
However, Bledsoe emphasized that many critical areas were still untouched. “We’ve just scratched the surface,” she said, noting more work needs to be done in the next session.
Privacy and ethics were also central themes. Lawmakers stressed the importance of using AI responsibly while ensuring the rights of Kentuckians are protected.
Bledsoe later said she hopes the task force is reactivated before the 2026 legislative session begins in January.
Rep. Bray pointed out a major policy gap: energy consumption by AI data centers.
He explained that while Kentucky offers low energy costs, these centers require massive power but create few jobs, raising concerns about land use and infrastructure demands.
Bledsoe agreed that energy policy and zoning laws for data centers must be addressed soon, especially as AI adoption grows.
The task force also explored sensitive topics such as AI’s use in criminal cases and election security. Senate Bill 4 allows political candidates to sue if their voice or image is manipulated by AI.
Secretary of State Michael Adams backed stronger laws, citing recent AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Biden and urged voters to stay home ahead of the 2024 New Hampshire primary.
Bledsoe said ongoing court cases involving AI-related crimes could influence future laws.
She added that Kentucky legislators are keeping an eye on how other states are regulating AI, especially in elections.
The task force also pushed for federal action, encouraging Congress to develop a nationwide AI policy.
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to promote AI education in schools, calling it “the way to the future.”
Bledsoe supports a national framework to prevent a confusing patchwork of state laws. “We’re hoping that moves forward before we have to,” she said.
Looking ahead to the 2026 session, Bledsoe plans to revisit a bill she withdrew earlier.
The proposed law would have given people legal rights over their digital likeness, including images and videos.
She said the proposal needs refining, especially in how it interacts with social media.
