Microsoft President, Brad Smith, and OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, have joined forces to urge Congress for regulation of artificial intelligence technology. This move comes amid discussions on AI regulation gaining bipartisan attention in Congress, but no particular legislative framework has emerged yet. Brad Smith has proposed that AI technology be subject to licensing, similar to automobiles and other products, to ensure responsible conduct without hindering innovation. He also advocates the creation of a dedicated regulatory agency with the primary objective of overseeing and monitoring new AI technologies. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, has also backed the idea of developing policy frameworks for AI regulations. This move by Microsoft and OpenAI echoes Elon Musk’s sentiments about AI regulation. In March 2023, more than 1,000 tech experts, including Musk, signed an open letter urging for an immediate halt on new AI technologies, explicitly surpassing the capabilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4, until independent experts can establish, implement, and assess safety protocols for such designs.
