Nationwide, states are grappling with how to regulate artificial intelligence.
That includes South Carolina.
South Carolina lawmakers in both the House and Senate have now created special committees to analyze AI: its risks, possible rewards and where they may be able to place guardrails as some leaders in the AI world have sounded the alarm that the intelligence is evolving almost too fast.
Lawmakers say they want to get ahead of the ever-developing AI curve.
Aiken Republican Sen. Tom Young, chair of the Senate's special AI committee, said on Sept. 16 that he plans to hold hearings into next summer to develop policies he hopes will help guide the state in AI use for state government.
"Our work should be guided by facts, expert input and careful deliberation, rather than headlines or speculation," Young said.
Several AI-related legislation has been filed at the Statehouse but few have become law.
Homayoun Valafar, a professor at the University of South Carolina who runs the college's AI Institute, told senators he's been working with Beaufort Republican Rep. Jeff Bradley, who is running the House's AI committee, on how to incorporate AI in K-12 curriculum.
Before lawmakers craft additional policies, AI experts testified last week that lawmakers should think about a definition for AI — what 33 other states have already down.
South Carolina is one of at least 17 states without a policy definition for AI, senators heard.
"If you envision a law, then getting the definitions right is essential," USC law school professor Bryant Walker Smith testified. "However, working definitions, rough definitions, may be sufficient for policy research. So you don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."
Gov. Henry McMaster discusses the evolving debate over artificial intelligence and how policymakers are weighing regulation while balancing innovation, privacy and the public interest.
— SCETV (@SCETV) September 17, 2026
Watch full remarks on the SCETV News YouTube Channel: https://t.co/AG2GIvOYVj pic.twitter.com/GqU9iz28NT
State Sen. Matt Leber, R-Charleston, said Sept. 16 that the state must be proactive.
"Why our constituents in South Carolina care about this issue, are glad we're doing this, is that they want us to get involved before the toaster burns the house down," Leber said. "That's the crux of the matter."
What ultimately lawmakers do pass by way of AI policy, senators say it will be a yearslong effort.
