President Joe Biden recently met with CEOs of major artificial intelligence (AI) companies, including Google and Microsoft, to discuss the potential risks and necessary safeguards of AI. The meeting, which took place at the White House, lasted for two hours and included Vice President Kamala Harris and several administration officials.
AI technology has become increasingly popular in recent years, with companies launching products that could revolutionize the way we work. However, as more people use AI for tasks like medical diagnoses and creating legal briefs, concerns have grown about privacy violations, employment bias, and the potential for scams and misinformation campaigns.
During the meeting, Harris acknowledged the potential benefits of AI but expressed concerns about safety, privacy, and civil rights. She called on the AI industry to ensure their products are safe and emphasized that the administration is open to new regulations and legislation to address AI’s potential harms.
The meeting resulted in the announcement of a $140 million investment from the National Science Foundation to create seven new AI research institutes. Leading AI developers will also participate in a public evaluation of their AI systems.
The Biden administration has taken some steps to address AI-related issues, such as signing an executive order to eliminate bias in AI use and releasing an AI Bill of Rights and risk management framework. However, some experts argue that the US has not done enough to regulate AI.
The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division have recently announced their intent to use legal authorities to combat AI-related harm. It remains to be seen whether the US will adopt the same tough approach as European governments in regulating technology and deepfakes and misinformation.
The meeting with AI industry leaders highlights the ongoing concerns about AI’s potential harms and the need for continued dialogue and regulation. The use of AI is only set to grow, and it’s essential to ensure that the benefits are balanced with safeguards against potential risks.
