Where Policymaking Meets Privacy and AI Innovation

Monique Priestley is a Vermont State Representative focused on data privacy, AI, right to repair, and the future of work. Monique serves on the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee, Joint IT Oversight Committee, and multiple national tech policy task forces. She was named a 2024 EPIC Champion of Freedom. In this episode… State privacy laws are evolving faster than ever, yet the dynamics shaping them often remain out of view for most organizations. Technology shifts quickly, and the issues raised in proposed privacy and AI bills require far more research and preparation than the calendar allows. That's why lawmakers work year-round to understand these complex technologies and collaborate with their peers in other states to refine definitions and bill provisions, ensuring that appropriate privacy protections are in place.  Many states entered 2025 with strong privacy bills on the table, yet progress slowed as industry counterproposals and competing drafts drew support away from stronger models, making it harder for legislators to keep consumer privacy protections intact. Vermont State Representative Monique Priestley has seen this firsthand and brings a unique lens to this dynamic, drawing on her discussions with the public and her collaborative work with lawmakers across the country.  As public concerns about privacy and AI grow and privacy laws evolve, companies will need to be proactive about the steps they take to protect people's data and be clear about how those protections work.  In this episode of She Said Privacy/He Said Security, Jodi and Justin Daniels talk with Monique Priestley, Vermont State Representative, about the realities that shape state-level privacy and AI legislation. Monique discusses the behind-the-scenes work required to educate lawmakers and build strong, technology-informed privacy and AI bills, and what might change in the year ahead. She also shares insights into the public's rising concerns about how their data is used, highlighting the steps companies can take to build trust.