Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Monday, Oct 14, 2024

Washington Is Determined To Govern Artificial Intelligence, But How?

Washington Is Determined To Govern Artificial Intelligence, But How?

Interviews with a US senator, congressional staffers, AI companies and interest groups show there are a number of options under discussion.
US lawmakers are grappling with what guardrails to put around burgeoning artificial intelligence, but months after ChatGPT got Washington's attention, consensus is far from certain.

Interviews with a US senator, congressional staffers, AI companies and interest groups show there are a number of options under discussion.

Some proposals focus on AI that may put people's lives or livelihoods at risk, like in medicine and finance. Other possibilities include rules to ensure AI isn't used to discriminate or violate someone's civil rights.

Another debate is whether to regulate the developer of AI or the company that uses it to interact with consumers. And OpenAI, the startup behind the chatbot sensation ChatGPT, has discussed a standalone AI regulator.

It's uncertain which approaches will win out, but some in the business community, including IBM and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, favor the approach that only regulates critical areas like medical diagnoses, which they call a risk-based approach.

If Congress decides new laws are necessary, the US Chamber's AI Commission advocates that "risk be determined by impact to individuals," said Jordan Crenshaw of the Chamber's Technology Engagement Center. "A video recommendation may not pose as high of a risk as decisions made about health or finances."

Surging popularity of so-called generative AI, which uses data to create new content like ChatGPT's human-sounding prose, has sparked concern the fast-evolving technology could encourage cheating on exams, fuel misinformation and lead to a new generation of scams.

The AI hype has led to a flurry of meetings, including a White House visit this month by the CEOs of OpenAI, its backer Microsoft Corp, and Alphabet Inc. President Joe Biden met with the CEOs.

Congress is similarly engaged, say congressional aides and tech experts.

"Staff broadly across the House and the Senate have basically woken up and are all being asked to get their arms around this," said Jack Clark, co-founder of high-profile AI startup Anthropic, whose CEO also attended the White House meeting. "People want to get ahead of AI, partly because they feel like they didn't get ahead of social media."

As lawmakers get up to speed, Big Tech's main priority is to push against "premature overreaction," said Adam Kovacevich, head of the pro-tech Chamber of Progress.

And while lawmakers like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are determined to tackle AI issues in a bipartisan way, the fact is Congress is polarized, a Presidential election is next year, and lawmakers are addressing other big issues, like raising the debt ceiling.

Schumer's proposed plan requires independent experts to test new AI technologies prior to their release. It also calls for transparency and providing the government with data it needs to avert harm.

Government Micromanagement

The risk-based approach means AI used to diagnose cancer, for example, would be scrutinized by the Food and Drug Administration, while AI for entertainment would not be regulated. The European Union has moved toward passing similar rules.

But the focus on risks seems insufficient to Democratic Senator Michael Bennet, who introduced a bill calling for a government AI task force. He said he advocates for a "values-based approach" to prioritize privacy, civil liberties and rights.

Risk-based rules may be too rigid and fail to pick up dangers like AI's use to recommend videos that promote white supremacy, a Bennet aide added.

Legislators have also discussed how best to ensure AI is not used to racially discriminate, perhaps in deciding who gets a low-interest mortgage, according to a person following congressional discussions who is not authorized to speak to reporters.

At OpenAI, staff have contemplated broader oversight.

Cullen O'Keefe, an OpenAI research scientist, proposed in an April talk at Stanford University the creation of an agency that would mandate that companies obtain licenses before training powerful AI models or operating the data centers that facilitate them. The agency, O'Keefe said, could be called the Office for AI Safety and Infrastructure Security, or OASIS.

Asked about the proposal, Mira Murati, OpenAI's chief technology officer, said a trustworthy body could "hold developers accountable" to safety standards. But more important than the mechanics was agreement "on what are the standards, what are the risks that you're trying to mitigate."

The last major regulator to be created was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was set up after the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

Some Republicans may balk at any AI regulation.

"We should be careful that AI regulatory proposals don't become the mechanism for government micromanagement of computer code like search engines and algorithms," a Senate Republican aide told Reuters.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Erdogan Criticizes UN's Inaction; Global Tensions Rise Over Human Rights and Resource Disputes
Global Tensions Surge: US-UK Airstrikes in Yemen, Diplomatic Shifts in Iran, and Israeli-Lebanese Struggles
Saudi Arabia's Ambitious Moves: Hydrogen Trains, Riyadh Metro, and Smart City Collaborations
Global Tensions and Tragedies: UN Experts Criticize Tunisia's Migrant Policies, Israeli Airstrikes Hit Lebanon, UK Court Hears Family Murder Trial, and New Saudi-Philippines Energy Pact
Saudi Arabia Embraces Sustainable Progress with Energy Pact and Cultural Milestones: From Renewable Innovations to Fashion and Sporting Triumphs
Netanyahu Urges UN to Relocate Lebanon Peacekeepers Amid Escalating Tensions
Tech Boosts Singapore’s Economy to 4.1% Growth in Q3
EU Sanctions Iranian Entities, UNHCR Warns of Global Displacement, and Saudi Arabia Advances Green and Industrial Ventures
Riyadh Season 2024: A Blend of Cultural Marvels and Cybersecurity Initiatives Amidst Middle Eastern Turmoil and Archaeological Revelations
From Desert Adventures to Diplomatic Tensions: Exploring Philby's Legacy and Global Affairs
Qatar's Tourism Boom and Saudi Arabia's Strategic Advances: Highlights from Economic Growth to Humanitarian Efforts
Global Developments: Philippines-Saudi Green Alliance, Pakistan's Security Ops, France's Immigration Shift, Ukraine-Russia Tensions, EU on Israeli Actions, and Dussmann's Strategic Move
Rising Tensions and Humanitarian Crises: Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza and Regional Conflicts Escalate
Global Tensions and Local Challenges: Missile Strikes Shift Defense Focus, Political Security Concerns Rise, and Societal Transformations Unfold
World Bank Warns of Rising Debt; Saudi Arabia Unearths Cave Wonders; Middle East Tensions and U.S. Military Moves; China Conducts Drills Near Taiwan
Sweden Urges EU to Designate Iran's Guards as Terrorists Amid Alleged Recruitment of Swedish Gang Members
Regional Diplomacy Intensifies Amid Rising Tensions Between Hezbollah and Israel
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: Pioneering Food Security, Digital Transformation, and Global Partnerships Amidst Regional Tensions
Amid Conflict in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia Charts Path to Global Logistics Leadership and Cultural Enrichment
Madinah Dates Festival Celebrates Heritage Amid Rising Middle East Tensions: A Complex Global Landscape
Saudi Arabia Unveils Ambitious Logistics and Technological Plans Amidst Vision 2030 Reforms
Tensions Escalate in Middle East Following Israeli Airstrike; Saudi Arabia Drives Environmental and Economic Initiatives
Saudi Arabia's Environmental Achievements Shine on IUCN Green List Amid Regional Conflicts and Cultural Celebrations
Global Developments: Saudi Arabia Condemns Land Seizure, Australia Criticizes Calls Against Ceasefire, and Cultural Initiatives in Full Swing
Iran Condemns New U.S. Sanctions Amid Rising Tensions in Middle East and Asia
Regional Tensions Flare as Israel Targets Iranian Sites Amid Saudi Condemnation and Humanitarian Efforts
Tesla's Robotaxi Design Strikes Controversy
Global Condemnation, Political Shifts, and Cultural Changes: Key Developments Around the World
Russia and Iran Bolster Economic Ties with Strategic Partnership Talks
Israel Issues Warning to Southern Lebanon Amid Ongoing Conflict
Poll Shows Trump Favored Over Harris in Handling Wars
Iran Enforces Electronics Ban on Flights After Lebanon Attacks
Gunfire Targets Jewish School in Toronto as Anti-Semitic Incidents Surge Across Canada
Global Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts: Key Developments from Turkey-Greece Talks to Electoral Concerns in Mozambique
Saudi Arabia Hosts Regional Environmental Summit Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
Saudi Arabia's Bold Reforms: Tax Exemptions, Water Security Initiatives, and Global Health Leadership Amid Middle East Tensions
100 Days of Keir Starmer: Navigating Economy, Controversies, and Global Challenges
Global Tensions Rise: Ukrainian Conscription Raids, Sectarian Clashes in Pakistan, and Natural Disasters in Florida and Nepal
Iranian Speaker Condemns Israeli Airstrike Amidst Regional Tensions; Saudi Arabia and Morocco Navigate Diplomatic Challenges
From Falconry to Foreign Relations: Exploring Heritage and Headlines Across the Middle East
Escalating Conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon Highlight Global Tensions Amid Nobel Peace Prize Reminders
Global Shifts: Navalny's Legacy, China's Taiwan Pressure, Saudi Arabia's Fintech Boom, and Middle East Tensions
Nicaragua Cuts Ties with Israel Amid Rising Global Tensions and Domestic Political Shifts
Putin and Pezeshkian Forge Economic Ties as Geopolitical Tensions Rise Across Middle East
Saudi Arabia Pursues Sustainable Future Amid Middle East Tensions and Iraq's Cultural Revival
Global Leaders Address Middle East Tensions Amid Regional Security Initiatives and Cultural Innovations
Bridging Cultures and Innovations: From Arabic Sign Language Tech to Saudi Heritage and Global Exhibitions
Cybersecurity Breach at Intesa Sanpaolo and Global Scandals: A Rundown of Key Developments
Noor Riyadh Celebrates Light Art Festival Amidst Middle East Tensions and Global Diplomatic Moves
Saudi Arabia Strengthens Global Economic Ties: Key Agreements and Strategic Investments Highlighted at Forums
×