President Biden, AI, and the Era of Regulation
Why the Biden administration's "regulation-first" AI policy risks ceding American technological leadership to China — and what a more balanced AI governance framework should look like.
In the latest development in the ongoing race to figure out what to do about Artificial Intelligence (AI), President Biden is reportedly engaging with several advocacy groups focused on the risks of AI. This highlights a perspective from the current administration that perceives AI predominantly as a risk, which calls for some introspection. What does this mean for the industry, and how will it shape the future of AI? Let's delve into this matter.
The fear of AI seems to have stemmed directly from the concerns surrounding Big Tech, Social Media, and Cryptocurrency. The voices that once clamored about the threats posed by these technologies have now shifted their gaze towards AI, generating concerns that are largely based on speculative risks. These fears, rather than being rooted in solid evidence of AI's current implications, seem to be extrapolations from the issues faced in other areas of the digital realm.
This brings us to the administration's 'regulatory first' model. We have seen this strategy in action in other spheres, notably in the world of cryptocurrencies. Various government agencies, with the financial services sector at the forefront, are espousing a 'no first' stance. Rather than taking a proactive approach to understand and work with emerging technologies, the default response seems to be to say 'no' and impose restrictions. It is clear that more than a few people in the Biden (and previously Obama) administrations felt like they messed up how to respond to Social Media and now are over-correcting with something much broader, much more impactful.
While regulation is undoubtedly important to prevent abuse and protect society, the approach of constraining technology first, and encouraging it later, will limit the potential benefits that these technologies can offer. It is the responsibility of the regulatory bodies to strike a balance between the need to regulate and the importance of fostering innovation.
However, amid this focus on risk and regulation, several crucial issues seem to be left on the back burner. Take, for example, the potential disruptions that the current generation of AI might introduce, such as the commoditization of Deep Fakes and their potential impact on the forthcoming elections.
Deep Fakes, AI-powered manipulations of audio and video that can generate realistic, but entirely fake, media, pose a significant threat to the integrity of information in our society. The potential misuse of this technology in a political context, such as during an election, could have profound effects on our democracy.
Intriguingly, the stage has been set for this conversation with legislative precursors such as the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the proposed Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. The 2023 NDAA has incorporated crucial AI guidelines, suggesting that the government recognizes the potential of AI and is willing to integrate it into the nation's defense mechanism. Simultaneously, the AI Bill of Rights proposes to safeguard the rights of individuals against potential AI threats, providing a framework to ensure that AI systems operate within ethical boundaries, respecting privacy and freedom.
These policies depict a foresight and willingness to engage with AI's potential, not just its risks. They present a vision of a future where AI is integrated into our societal infrastructure, but with necessary protections to safeguard individual rights and maintain social order.
In contrast, Executive Order 13960, which focused on promoting the use of trustworthy AI in government, seems to lean more towards caution. The Order mandates rigorous risk assessment and management strategies before any AI systems can be employed. The emphasis on preemptive regulation paints a stark picture when compared to the forward-looking and integrative approach of the 2023 NDAA and the AI Bill of Rights.
This contrast raises questions about the administration's approach to AI. While regulation is essential, so too is creating an environment that allows the benefits of AI to be realized. Striking a balance between these two will be key to harnessing the full potential of AI. It's clear that the conversation around AI is evolving and it's crucial that we continue to engage in this discussion with an open and balanced perspective.
Further, there is the persistent issue of AI's impact on the job market, which we are just beginning to see. The automation of tasks by AI is likely to lead to job displacement in various sectors, and this potential upheaval requires significant attention and planning. We are already seeing it happen - a report from Challenger, Gray, and Christmas found that 3,900 people lost their jobs in May due to artificial intelligence (AI). This was the first time AI was listed in the monthly report…. and a first glance as to what the future will bring. These job losses will not be contained to any one market or subset of the workforce but will end up impacting nearly every person who works.
In summary, while the Biden administration's concerns about the risks of AI are valid, the emphasis should not be solely on regulation. It's essential that we also focus on understanding these technologies, addressing the most pressing threats they pose, and ensuring that our society is prepared to manage the disruptions they may cause. AI holds immense potential to improve our world, but only if we approach it with a balanced perspective that includes not only the risks but the opportunities and presents a cohesive way forward maximizing our nation’s opportunities to guide the global AI market moving forward. Education (both traditional and professional) needs significant focus and investment in all sectors to assist with this transition.