Hannah News: Husted Discusses Data Privacy, Portman Talks AI at OhioX Tech Policy Summit

COLUMBUS - Ohio has the potential to be a leader in new data privacy legislation, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said during an inaugural “Tech Policy Summit” hosted by OhioX Thursday, due to the lack of current law in that space.

“We have basically no rules about how companies have to treat your data,” he said during brief keynote remarks at the virtual event, but legislators are working with the tech industry to develop “good rules” for the future. California and Virginia have passed laws on the topic, Husted continued, but Ohio can be “the model for the future” when Congress will likely develop its own bill.

Attendees can help by discussing the need for the “right kind” of industry regulations with legislators, he added, noting that public mistrust of large tech companies can be an issue. Husted further told viewers that a national focus on Ohio’s potential policy could attract more jobs to the state.

He said providing needed expansions in broadband service that have stood out during the pandemic will require a dedicated, specially trained workforce and that Ohio is “fixing that.” Cybersecurity has also emerged as a critical area for local governments, and Husted added that a “defense collaborative” for local and state entities is another idea in the “formative stage.”

Husted additionally discussed the origins and role of his InnovateOhio initiative and detailed the “Ohio IP Promise” program to connect universities with entrepreneurs. More capital is needed to move that forward, he added, and he is working with the General Assembly on legislation in that regard.

The issue of broadband access has created “haves and have nots” during the pandemic, he said, also discussing the state’s efforts on collaborative expansion of high-speed Internet. That includes telehealth projects, Husted continued, and the state has also gotten involved in quantum computing for health care research. The Air Force Research Laboratory near Dayton is also adopting this technology, he added.

Husted discussed the development of the InnovateOhio Platform, which houses state websites including coronavirus.ohio.gov, and efforts to improve customer experience for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and OhioMeansJobs.

Asked by OhioX President Chris Berry about what inspired his efforts on technology and workforce development, Husted said that “Ohio’s history is innovation” and discussed notable figures such as Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers.

“If you want to be on the front-end side of prosperity, you have to be on the front-end side of innovation and new businesses and new ways of thinking and doing,” he continued. Regarding his time as secretary of state, Husted also said technology allowed him to cut staff size in half and not use tax dollars.

“There’s going to be a go-to innovation state in the Midwest,” he continued, and measures that enhance customer service while reducing costs will provide “the edge” needed to make that Ohio. Husted concluded that he thinks Ohio is already in that position but needs to “solidify” it to prosper.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) also made comments via recorded videos that were shown Thursday.

Portman discussed the national history of innovation -- including Ohio’s role in it -- and Congress’ work to support research and shape the response to new technology “through funding for research grants and targeted investments in new fields of study.”

He detailed current efforts to support work on artificial intelligence (AI), saying the U.S. has been a traditional leader in the field which can improve health care, produce greater supply chain efficiencies and provide more effective military defense systems.

A global competition has emerged, Portman continued, as China is working to “outpace” the U.S. and that other AI issues such as “deepfakes,” negative effects on the workforce and underlying algorithm biases need to be controlled.

“Our country will only be able to reap the benefits of AI if the American people have a say in it,” he said. Portman also discussed his role as a leader of the Senate’s AI caucus and federal laws that have been passed recently on the topic as well as deepfakes.

Those are “important steps in establishing a public policy based on smart, targeted research into AI while also being cognizant of the risks,” he continued. “It doesn’t serve the U.S. -- or the rest of the world -- to shrink from its potential.” Portman also invited attendees to provide “new ideas” for congressional action on AI technology in the future.

Huffman said OhioX plays “a vital role” in advancing the state’s technology and innovation economy and that hosting the “wide-ranging, far-reaching” summit was an impressive demonstration of the work it has done so far, as the nonprofit announced its formation in late 2019. (See The Hannah Report, 12/9/19.)

For decades, he continued, people have looked to the east or west coasts as centers of technology and innovation but Ohio is now “leading the way” during an “exciting time” of change in that regard.

“Whether it’s the advent of smart technology in transportation, education or government, there’s no better place to be than Ohio,” Huffman said. He noted the state has existing “world-class” educational institutions, but added that the state needs to retain people after graduation and provide a business- friendly tax environment.

The General Assembly is a “willing partner” in efforts to improve Ohio’s position, and Huffman concluded that OhioX and other partners will help the state “continue to lead on innovation that has the ability to transform our world.”

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