As the world becomes increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence (AI), the need for effective policymaking has never been more pressing. Helen Toner, a former OpenAI board member and the director of strategy at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, expressed concern that Congress might react in a "knee-jerk" way to AI-related issues if the status quo doesn’t change.
Congress’ Track Record on Passing Laws
According to Toner, Congress is not known for its ability to pass laws efficiently. "Congress right now — I don’t know if anyone’s noticed — is not super functional, not super good at passing laws, unless there’s a massive crisis," she said. This sentiment is echoed by many observers who point out that AI policymaking has been hindered by the gridlock in Washington.
The White House-Sponsored Summit on AI
In an effort to address this issue, the White House has sponsored a summit to discuss the ways in which AI can be used to support American innovation. While this is a step in the right direction, Toner’s comments serve as a reminder that more needs to be done to ensure that AI policymaking is effective and forward-thinking.
The Gridlock on U.S. AI Policy
The lack of comprehensive legislation on AI has led to a patchwork of state and local laws that can create uncertainty for both industry and consumers. For example, some states have implemented strict regulations on "automated decision making," while others have taken a more lenient approach.
State-Level Legislation on AI
In an effort to fill the void left by federal inaction, state legislatures have introduced numerous bills related to AI. In California, lawmakers advanced roughly 30 new bills aimed at protecting consumers and jobs. Colorado recently approved a measure that requires AI companies to use "reasonable care" while developing the tech to avoid discrimination.
The ELVIS Act: A Step in the Right Direction?
In March, Tennessee governor Bill Lee signed into law the ELVIS Act, which prohibits AI cloning of musicians’ voices or likenesses without their explicit consent. While this is a positive development, Toner believes that even a high-level federal mandate would be preferable to the current state of affairs.
The Need for Federal Leadership on AI
Toner thinks that some level of federal leadership is necessary to ensure that AI policymaking is effective and forward-thinking. "Some of the smarter and more thoughtful actors that I’ve seen in this space are trying to say, OK, what are the pretty light-touch — pretty common-sense — guardrails we can put in place now to make future crises — future big problems — likely less severe," she said.
The Patchwork of Rules: A Threat to Industry and Consumers
The lack of federal leadership on AI policymaking has created a patchwork of state and local laws that can create uncertainty for both industry and consumers. This can lead to a number of negative consequences, including:
- Regulatory arbitrage: Companies may choose to locate in states with more lenient regulations to avoid stricter rules elsewhere.
- Compliance costs: Businesses may incur significant costs to comply with the patchwork of state and local laws.
- Consumer uncertainty: Consumers may be uncertain about their rights and protections under different state and local laws.
Conclusion
As AI continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, it’s essential that policymakers take a thoughtful and forward-thinking approach to regulating its development and use. The need for effective AI policymaking is clear, and it’s time for Congress to step up and provide the leadership necessary to ensure that we can harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks.
Related Topics
- The Importance of AI Regulation
- The Impact of State-Level Legislation on AI
- The Need for Federal Leadership on AI
The Importance of AI Regulation
AI regulation is essential to ensure that the benefits of AI are realized while mitigating its risks. Effective policymaking can help prevent issues such as:
- Bias and discrimination: AI systems can perpetuate existing biases and discriminate against certain groups.
- Job displacement: AI has the potential to automate many jobs, leading to significant unemployment.
- Cybersecurity threats: AI systems can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, which can have serious consequences.
The Impact of State-Level Legislation on AI
State-level legislation on AI can create uncertainty for both industry and consumers. For example:
- Regulatory arbitrage: Companies may choose to locate in states with more lenient regulations.
- Compliance costs: Businesses may incur significant costs to comply with the patchwork of state and local laws.
- Consumer uncertainty: Consumers may be uncertain about their rights and protections under different state and local laws.
The Need for Federal Leadership on AI
The lack of federal leadership on AI policymaking has created a patchwork of state and local laws that can create uncertainty for both industry and consumers. This is why it’s essential that Congress steps up and provides the leadership necessary to ensure that we can harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks.
Recommendations
Based on Toner’s comments, here are some recommendations for effective AI policymaking:
- Establish a clear framework: Develop a clear framework for regulating AI development and use.
- Provide funding for research and development: Allocate resources to support research and development in AI.
- Foster collaboration between industry and government: Encourage collaboration between industry leaders and policymakers to ensure that regulations are effective and forward-thinking.
Conclusion
Effective AI policymaking is essential to ensure that we can harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks. The need for federal leadership on AI policymaking is clear, and it’s time for Congress to step up and provide the leadership necessary to address the challenges posed by AI.
