Some Ohio lawmakers are embracing AI, while others — including one Columbus Democrat — are working to limit harm done by the technology.

Why it matters: Confusion and indecision persist on how AI should be regulated, and who should do the regulating.

Driving the news: A recent poll on artificial intelligence found the majority of Ohio General Assembly members are using AI in their work as legislators and believe the technology allows them to work more efficiently.

The big picture: The Gongwer-Werth Legislative Opinion Poll is a recurring anonymous survey of the Ohio General Assembly gathering pulse-check data about how members view major policy issues of the day.

• A March 2 survey asked six questions about AI usage and policy. Forty members responded.

What it found: Despite wide levels of personal adoption, uncertainty dominates.

• 38% of respondents are "undecided" about whether AI should be used more in government operations.
• 39% are undecided about whether students should be using AI to assist with schoolwork.

Between the lines: A partisan divide between Democratic and Republican respondents became pronounced in questions about regulation.

• Among Democrats, 73% believe AI should be regulated at the federal level and 7% at the state level, while 20% are undecided.
• Among Republicans, the figures are 28% for federal regulation, 40% for state and 24% undecided. Another 8% think AI shouldn't be regulated at all.

The bottom line: The overwhelming impression from the poll is that state lawmakers view AI as a positive technological advancement that will save time in work and life.

• Only 10% responded that their primary view of AI is one of job displacement. Only 3% said they believe AI should be avoided.

At his final State of the State address last week, Gov. Mike DeWine waded into the AI conversation.

• He asked lawmakers to make it illegal to possess, create or distribute child pornography created by AI.
• And he told legislators to "hold tech companies accountable" for allowing AI platforms to "encourage, assist, endorse or instruct" anyone to harm themselves or others.

Context: Bills related to both those topics are in the works.

Senate Bill 163, sponsored by Sens. Louis Blessing III (R-Colerain Twp.) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), would prohibit "simulated child pornography" and AI identity fraud, and require watermarks on AI-generated content.

• The bill is being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 524, sponsored by Reps. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) and Ty Mathews (R-Findlay), would impose penalties for developing or deploying AI models that encourage harm.

• The bill is currently with the House Technology and Innovation Committee.
• It's supported by the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation.

📧 U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) is suing President Trump and other Kennedy Center board members — in a court filing, she accuses them of not inviting her to a meeting, but it was revealed that her invite went to an email spam folder. (Dispatch)

📈 Ohio's population surprisingly grew by nearly 12,000 people last year, — with more births and fewer deaths than expected. (Statehouse News Bureau)

🍝 Franklinton's former Spaghetti Warehouse property is for sale a year after the building's demolition. (Columbus Business First 🔒)

🕵️‍♂️ A true crime podcast based in Columbus is teasing a new twist in Brian Shaffer's notorious 2006 disappearance. (614 Magazine)

🌺 Huli Huli Tiki Lounge, which opened in Powell in 2019, will open a second location in the former Jury Room space downtown. (Columbus Underground)

👋 Alissa here. If you're craving Irish tastes and tunes this time of year, Byrne's Pub in Grandview is the perfect place to raise a pint.

The vibe: A so-called "Irish pub" isn't exactly hard to come by in Columbus — or anywhere, for that matter.

• But this dimly lit dive, founded by three Irish American brothers in 1995, offers some authentic staples that help it stand out.
• That includes a stage for hosting Irish bands on Saturdays, and a daylong lineup planned tomorrow for St. Patrick's Day.

What I ate: A cup of green-chili Irish stew made with Guinness ($7), a malty twist on a traditional dish, and a skillet of chili-cheese fries ($13).

• Sure, the latter isn't authentic Irish, but I have no regrets.
• My husband, a Reuben aficionado, stamped their sandwich with a seal of approval.

Between the lines: The stew is the base of their popular shepherd's pie, topped with baked mashed potatoes and Irish cheddar. But I messed up and visited yesterday, when there was a limited menu in place.

• Staff was focused on recovering from Saturday's St. Patrick's Day party — impressively powered by generators during this weekend's wind storms — and gearing up for another tomorrow.

What's next: A return trip to try that shepherd's pie!

Stop by: 1248 W. Third Ave. Hours. Menu.

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Ohio State basketball will be part of the madness.

Catch up quick: Both the men's and women's teams were invited to their respective NCAA tournaments, which begin Thursday and Friday, respectively.

The women, led by star sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge, went 26-7 and earned a No. 3 seed.

• Their tournament begins at home Saturday against No. 14 seed Howard.

The men, led by all-time program scorer Bruce Thornton, rode late-season momentum to a 21-12 record and a No. 8 seed.

• Their tournament run begins Thursday against No. 9 seed TCU.

🏀 Join our bracket challenge! Free ESPN bracket groups for the men's and women's tournaments are open now.

• If asked, the password is "Axios" without quotation marks.
• Submit your entries by tournament tipoff time ... winners earn bragging rights and some Axios swag.