Artificial Intelligence Tops List of Policy Priorities at 2024 Security Hill Day
From AI and school security to workforce development and tax policy, Security Hill Day serves as crucial advocacy tool for the industry.
Photo courtesy of the Security Industry Association
Nearly 50 security industry executives met on Capitol Hill March 5-6 for the 2024 Security Hill Day to help educate policymakers about our $110 billion industry that provides nearly two million jobs throughout the United States and Canada and advocate for key policy and legislative priorities.
From artificial intelligence (AI) and school security to workforce development and tax policy, Security Hill Day serves as crucial advocacy tool for the security industry.
While attendees of Security Hill Day covered a wide range of relevant policy priorities, as with most industries, AI remained the hottest topic in meetings on the Hill and with congressional speakers.
In the halls of Congress, the future of AI in the United States has become the most discussed topic in recent memory. On the forefront stands Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), an advocate in both the private sector and Congress for AI and its potential for positively shaping our future as a country.
Representing California’s 8th Congressional District and having a unique background in AI, Rep. Obernolte has been instrumental in founding the Congressional AI Caucus and maintains an approach to AI policy that greatly aligns with the interests of the security industry.
More About the 2024 Security Hill Day
Rep. Obernolte joined attendees at Security Hill Day for the opening reception and policy dinner, where he spoke about his priorities for the newly formed bipartisan House AI Task Force, its work over the next year and the potential impact of policymaking on AI.
He also received the Security Industry Association (SIA) Legislator of the Year Award for his efforts in this space, which also includes authoring the CREATE AI Act, to help American students and entrepreneurs become leaders in the exciting work of developing AI-driven technologies.
The congressman spoke about bipartisan plan under the task force to focus on driving economic growth, spurring job creation and enhancing national competitiveness while intently focusing on not overregulating AI and protecting American citizens and businesses.
As the pace of technological advancement accelerates, the impact of AI continues to permeate almost every industry. AI-driven technologies are especially critical to today’s safety and security applications, driving most recent innovations in the security industry and enabling groundbreaking improvements in capabilities to protect businesses and consumers and bolster public safety.
At Security Hill Day, industry executives also heard from Michael Richards, director of policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC). Roberts provided an update on his work with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s state and federal artificial intelligence portfolio and AI Policy Working Group, which comprises over 100 companies and trade associations, including SIA.
While approaches to AI policy in the U.S. are still being determined, the security industry is poised to work together with policymakers to help ensure new capabilities enabled by AI are harnessed for the betterment of society.
We appreciate the efforts of leaders like Rep. Obernolte and groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s AI working group for laying the foundation for navigating the complexities of the AI policy landscape.
Colby Williams is the associate director of government relations for the Security Industry Association.
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