MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – As AI becomes more prevalent in society, North Dakota lawmakers are working to learn more about its pros and cons.
Leaders at the Capitol launched an interim committee to address the topic ahead of next year’s session.
The Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee wants to hear from professionals on AI in North Dakota.
Much of the group’s talks on Thursday focused on its potential impacts on children.
“The emergence of AI has expanded opportunities for exploitation and enabled new manipulation tactics for predators, while creating significant challenges for parents, law enforcement and policymakers,” said Victoria Christian.
It’s something Special Agent Cassidy Halseth has seen firsthand; around eight cases go through his office daily. One example started with a cyber-tip.
“What we uncovered— the suspect was taking publicly available images of real people, including minors, and using AI tools to turn those images into explicit material,” said Halseth.
State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier discussed AI’s role in the classroom, saying it should be used for learning purposes, but not taken too far.
“Going too far without outright bans, not allowing students to have exposure to an artificial tool, as a learning process, may be denying our students important educational tools,” said Bachmeier.
While the meeting went on for several hours, Chairman Jonathan Warrey said this is just one step.
“Our goal then is to create an output from our work that will advise the legislative assembly in the 2027 session,” said Warrey.
Warrey said they are taking a four-pronged approach to the topic: diving into what other states and the federal government are doing, how they can protect children, preventing AI from exceeding human control, and the impacts of data centers.
The committee will hold a total of five meetings, including the one on Thursday.
The next one is on Sept. 1 in Bismarck.
For now, AI and data centers are not on the agenda for the special session beginning Sept. 2.
The governor’s office said any additions to the agenda next month are at the discretion of lawmakers.
Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.
————————————————
