Navigating AI Policy: Jake Morabito on Let People Prosper Show
The goal is to empower states and make decisions closer to local communities that grow jobs, expand opportunity, and a lot of that work’s being done at the state level, especially in technology issues.
ALEC Communications & Technology and Energy, Environment & Agriculture Senior Task Force Director Jake Morabito appeared on a recent episode of the Let People Prosper Show with Dr. Vance Ginn discussing the evolving landscape of AI regulation, highlighting the broad application of AI in various technologies, and the challenges states face in crafting AI policies.
The conversation started with a discussion about Morabito’s work at ALEC and the organization’s passion for empowering states and local communities through technology policy.
“What I love so much about the work we do at ALEC is the work we do directly impacts everyday people and help,” Morabito remarked. “The goal is to empower states and make decisions closer to local communities that grow jobs, expand opportunity, and a lot of that work’s being done at the state level, especially in technology issues.”
Morabito also noted the shift in technology policy from federal to state levels due to Congressional gridlock and how ALEC has provided resources for lawmakers in tackling the challenges of this shift across the states.
“ALEC as an organization, what we do is we bring together state legislators from across the country… and [for] the end result, we have policymakers talking to each other and exchanging ideas, which is a really great thing to see.”
The conversation then turned to the rapid developments in AI over recent years.
“ChatGPT was released to the public in November 2022 and that was kind of the catalyst of this new tech era about generative AI,” Morabito noted.
State legislatures, which move quickly on tight calendars, had little time to react. Many rushed to ban the technology in schools, only to reverse course.
“Even countries like Italy banned ChatGPT in 2023—I think a lot of people forget that,” he highlighted.
Since then, legislative activity has exploded.
“You had maybe around only 100 artificial intelligence bills that were filed in 2023. In 2024… 45 states filed over 700 bills on AI, and the only ones that didn’t were the ones that weren’t in session,” Morabito said. “This year, you’ve now had all 50 states file legislation at this point.”
Morabito then noted to Ginn how Utah served as a model on this issue. The state created an Office of AI Policy that is internal to its Department of Commerce to advise lawmakers while keeping innovation in focus.
“That’s meant to be that in-house expertise and resource that informs the government and the legislature on how we ought to be thinking about and regulating artificial intelligence with the eye on innovation,” Morabito explained.
The discussion concluded with coverage about the potential for AI to create new job opportunities and the need for a balanced approach to regulation. Morabito emphasized the importance of preparing the workforce for the future and the role of government in supporting this transition.
“I’m excited for the opportunities in the future. I think kids are going to need to learn to use AI so they can create their own applications and their own products.”