Ohio Lawmakers Propose New Commission to Address Emerging Technologies
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In response to the rapid evolution of technology and the growing concerns about its impact, Ohio lawmakers from both political parties are uniting around a proposal to establish a dedicated commission focused on frontier technologies and quantum computing.
State Representative Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) has introduced House Bill 650, which aims to create the Frontier Technologies and Quantum Computing Commission. The commission would comprise nine members appointed by the Ohio House of Representatives, the Ohio Senate, and the Governor. Its primary role would be to hear expert testimony on emerging technologies, assess related risks and opportunities, and prepare a comprehensive report to inform future legislative actions.
“The technology is evolving so rapidly, I feel as though we’re almost always behind it,” Workman said. “What we need to do is bring in the best and the brightest who are experimenting with these technologies and understand what they’re seeing.”
Representative Sean Brennan (D-Parma), a co-sponsor of the bill, echoed the need for informed policymaking. He acknowledged the fears many Ohioans feel, particularly concerning job security amid advancements like artificial intelligence. “I think a big part of the fear is the fear of, ‘Am I going to have a job a year, five years, ten years from now?’” Brennan remarked. “We have no idea what the future holds. It just behooves us to be as informed as possible.”
Addressing Employment, Education, and Security
The proposed commission is expected to explore the potential impact of new technologies on employment, particularly the risk of automation displacing workers. Workman emphasized the importance of involving higher education institutions in these conversations. “Many of our universities and colleges are already well beyond where we are in the legislature,” she said. “We hope to bring them in and engage them so we can support the important work they’re already doing.”
Among the top concerns driving the initiative is cybersecurity and the protection of Ohio’s critical infrastructure. Workman highlighted the urgency of understanding vulnerabilities as technology grows more complex and interconnected. She also pointed to quantum computing as a transformative force that could revolutionize sectors such as health care. “Quantum computing itself will increase computing power by 1300 percent,” Workman noted. “Essentially we’ll be going warp speed, and that is going to have massive implications in all industries. We expect quantum computing to be fully operational within the next five to seven years, so this is a good time and there’s a lot of urgency around fully understanding these technologies.”
Path Forward
The bill’s sponsors aim for swift approval of the commission so it can begin its work promptly, with a goal of delivering a detailed report to the Ohio General Assembly by the end of the year. Workman shared that she has already engaged with legislative leaders and found broad support across the political spectrum for the proposal.
As Ohio faces the challenges and opportunities ushered in by rapid technological advances, this bipartisan effort reflects a proactive approach to crafting informed, forward-looking policies to benefit both the state’s workforce and its industries.
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Reported by Jesse Bethea, NBC4 WCMH-TV
