AI’s role in transforming our SC schools and economy

By Rep. Jeff Bradley

Contributor

Two weeks ago, I was invited by Google to sit on a panel in Chicago at the State of Artificial Intelligence Policy Summit.  It was quite an experience. I shared the stage with Alice Hunt Friend, Head of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Tech Policy at Google (just the two of us).

I am happy to tell you, South Carolina is taking a major step to be a

leader in AI Technology, and in particular, how it impacts our public

education programs and attracting AI companies to our area.

I am honored to lead this charge as Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security & Cybercrime Committee in the State House. I have been attending AI conferences around the USA this summer on behalf of our state while our session is on recess.

I learn more on each occasion, but this particular one was really powerful.

It opened my eyes to the transformative power of AI, not only in K-12 education, but also in driving economic growth and opportunity across our state.

One of the issues our panel discussed was the European Artificial

Intelligence Act. It establishes the first comprehensive legal framework for AI globally. The goal is to ensure that AI is being developed and used in a trustworthy way while protecting people’s rights and safety.

I can tell you truthfully, AI is not simply a tool of the future – it is

already reshaping how students learn, how teachers instruct,

how businesses operate, and, beyond that, how our workforce is trained.

Here in South Carolina, I believe we are poised to harness AI’s potential to provide our students cutting-edge learning experiences while simultaneously preparing our business community for a rapidly changing technological landscape.

One of the most exciting aspects of AI in education is its ability to tailor learning experiences to meet the unique needs of each individual student. AI-driven platforms can adapt in “real time,” providing personalized feedback, adjusting lesson difficulty and offering targeted support for students who need it most.

Whether a student excels or struggles in a particular subject, AI can make sure they are getting the right level of challenge or assistance to grow academically.

Our committee’s goal is not just to improve the quality of education today, but to prepare South Carolina’s students for the opportunities of tomorrow.

AI is expected to reshape our South Carolina job market by introducing its technology into our schools. By getting ahead of the curve, we can ensure students are ready to compete in a global economy that increasingly values technology skills. From coding to data analysis, we can equip our students with the knowledge they will need to thrive in an AI-driven world.

In the coming years, I can assure you our committee will work closely with business leaders to ensure South Carolina’s AI policies are designed to stimulate economic growth. We have options to do this, whether by offering tax incentives to AI startups or encouraging AI research and development. We are laying the foundation for South Carolina’s future as a technology hub.

I believe that by embracing these innovations now, we can secure a prosperous future for generations to come.

Jeff Bradley is the representative for District 123 in the State House of Representatives.