AI Medicare Review Program Delays Care for Washington Seniors

AI Medicare Review Program Delays Care for Washington Seniors

Washington seniors face denied or delayed care under a pilot program that uses AI to review Medicare procedure requests. The program aims to reduce fraud and waste by requiring prior authorization for certain procedures. It has incentivized private companies to deny procedures, with over 1.5 million Medicare enrollees in Washington state affected. The program's use of AI to review claims is causing concerns among advocates, with reports of patients waiting two to four times longer for procedure authorizations. The repeal effort will continue to gain momentum in the coming months.

Connecticut Regulates AI in Employment Decisions

Connecticut lawmakers approved a bill to regulate artificial intelligence in employment decisions. The bill requires transparency and notice when using automated tools to make employment decisions. The new law affects companies that use AI to hire, promote, or fire employees. It requires these companies to disclose how they use AI in employment decisions. About 100 companies in Connecticut will be affected by this law. The law will start on October 1 and the Connecticut Attorney General will enforce it. The state will begin supervising AI verification bodies and requiring new reports for mass layoffs. New regulations will be enforced starting October 1.

Illinois Passes AI Accountability Bill

Illinois lawmakers passed a bill to increase transparency and accountability among large artificial intelligence models. The bill applies to companies with $500 million in revenue and significant computing power. The bill requires developers to create a transparency framework and employ third-party auditors to ensure compliance. This matters because it sets a standard for AI safety and accountability. The bill passed unanimously in the House with 110 votes. Illinois is now the third state to regulate frontier AI models, following New York and California. The bill will next go to the governor for consideration and may influence future national regulations.

Illinois Passes AI Transparency Bill

Illinois lawmakers passed a bill that requires large artificial intelligence companies to report on their models' capabilities. The bill targets companies with over $500 million in revenue and large computing power. This bill matters because it will increase transparency and accountability among the largest AI models. For example, developers will have to publish a framework explaining how they measure model capabilities and respond to safety incidents. The bill passed the House 110-0. The governor will now consider the bill, which could set a new standard for AI safety in the US.

NYC Schools to Limit AI Use for Young Students

New York City officials are rethinking their approach to artificial intelligence in schools after facing criticism from parents and educators. The city's Education Department had released draft guidance on AI use in schools, but it did not address concerns about the technology's impact on young students. The department is now considering restricting AI use for students ages three to five. Over 3,000 people have signed a petition calling for a two-year moratorium on AI in city schools. City officials will release a final version of their AI guidance, though the timeline is uncertain. The city will take a closer look at AI use in the coming months.