Washington State University’s Office of Research was featured in U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s recent roundtable discussion, “The Future of AI: Experts on Safety, Transparency, and Economic Security for Working Families,” which brought together leading voices from higher education, labor, government, and the technology sector to explore emerging opportunities and challenges in artificial intelligence.
Convened in Seattle, the discussion focused on some of the most important questions shaping the future of the economy: how to ensure AI systems are safe, transparent, and accountable, and how to make certain the benefits of AI are broadly shared by working families rather than concentrated among a handful of large corporations. Participants underscored the need for thoughtful policy frameworks that balance innovation with public trust and community benefit.
WSU Associate Vice President for Research Advancement and Strategy Chad Kruger joined an esteemed group of participants that included Professor Noah Smith, Vice Provost for AI at the University of Washington; Cherika Carter, Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council; Yifan Zhang, Managing Director of AI House and host of the event; and Gretchen Peri, Chief Technology Officer for the State of Washington.
As Washington’s land grant university, WSU was proud to bring a unique perspective to the conversation—one grounded in the needs and opportunities of rural communities across the state. Kruger emphasized WSU’s statewide mission and the importance of ensuring AI solutions work for all Washington residents, including those in agricultural regions and small communities.
“At Washington State University, AI is a cornerstone of our work as a future-ready land-grant university. WSU researchers are applying AI to real-world challenges in agriculture, rural health care, energy resilience, sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, and rural education. Backed by more than $72 million in AI and machine learning research, WSU is helping position Washington as a leader in responsible, community-focused innovation. We appreciate Senator Murray’s leadership in bringing folks together today to help ensure AI’s future remains focused on the public good, creating healthier communities, stronger industries, and greater opportunity for people across our state.”
WSU Associate Vice President for Research Advancement and Strategy Chad Kruger
Throughout the discussion, participants examined how policymakers, researchers, employers, and workers can collaborate to harness AI’s transformative potential while addressing concerns related to workforce impacts, public trust, transparency, and economic security.
WSU emphasized the importance of ensuring that AI policy reflects the diverse needs of communities across Washington. Effective AI policy must work not only in technology centers and urban innovation hubs, but also in the agricultural regions, small towns, and rural communities that help power the state’s economy and food system.
From precision agriculture and natural resource management to rural health care delivery and educational access, WSU researchers are leveraging AI technologies to solve pressing challenges facing Washington residents. These innovations demonstrate why rural perspectives must remain part of the broader conversation about the future of artificial intelligence.
Kruger thanked Senator Murray for creating a forum where diverse stakeholders could engage in thoughtful discussion about AI’s opportunities and challenges.
“Thank you, Senator Murray, for the opportunity to share today. We value your partnership. When government, industry, and higher education work together, we expand opportunity and strengthen Washington’s long-term prosperity.”
WSU is grateful to Senator Murray for her continued leadership in bringing together experts from across sectors to discuss emerging technologies and their impact on Washington’s future. Her commitment to engaging researchers, workers, industry leaders, and public officials helps ensure that federal policy discussions are informed by real-world experience and focused on delivering benefits for all communities.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and society, WSU looks forward to working with Senator Murray and partners across the state and nation to advance responsible innovation that supports economic growth, strengthens communities, and creates opportunities for Washington residents in every corner of the state.