NJ A5300: Requires AG to arrange for certain testing of facial recognition systems. Verified

Assembly Bill A5300 mandates that the New Jersey Attorney General arrange for independent, third-party testing of the five most commonly available facial recognition systems within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The testing aims to evaluate whether there is a statistically significant variation in accuracy based on race, skin tone, ethnicity, gender, or age. Following the completion of the testing, the Attorney General is required to submit a report to the Legislature within 30 days detailing the findings. The bill defines a 'facial recognition system' as a computer application that uses algorithms to identify or verify individuals from digital images or video frames. This legislation aligns with growing concerns about the ethical implications and accuracy of facial recognition technology, particularly regarding bias and discrimination. Similar initiatives have been proposed or enacted in other states, reflecting a broader trend towards increased scrutiny of AI technologies.