The risks associated with AI technologies have been recognized by a newly released report by the Biden-Harris administration that states AI technology might negatively impact individuals, groups, organizations, communities, societies, environments, and the planet.
Despite the rapid growth of AI, public enthusiasm has quickly shifted from excitement to fear. The White house is looking to introduce new policies to tackle the possible damages AI technology can bring, which includes displacing millions of people from their jobs. Though a bill was proposed earlier this year to regulate AI, legislative action is way behind the progress of the technology.
On Wednesday, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL), said that AI is too important not to regulate well, in agreement with previous comments by OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Tesla Inc. (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk. AI definitely has the potential to disrupt the status quo, and as per Altman, “If this technology goes wrong — it can go quite wrong.”
The White House recently announced “new efforts that will advance the research, development, and deployment of responsible artificial intelligence,” with the goal of protecting individuals’ rights and safety. In February 2022, the Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a request for information on AI, getting more than 60 responses from researchers, research organizations, professional societies, civil society organizations, and individuals, which were then used to update the National AI R&D Strategic Plan. The latest submissions focused mainly on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI, and the safety and security of AI systems.
The 2023 version of the report said that the responses underscore a heightened priority across academia, industry and the public for developing AI systems that are safe, transparent, improve equity, and don’t violate privacy. “Without proper controls, AI systems can amplify, perpetuate, or exacerbate inequitable or undesirable outcomes for individuals and communities,” said the report.
What’s in Biden’s AI Rights Strategy?
The Office of Science and Technology Policy has released a blueprint for an “AI Bill of Rights,” which is intended to protect all people from many of the possible threats that technology can bring. According to the agency, rights around AI should include not being exposed to unsafe, abusive, or ineffective AI systems; not facing discrimination by algorithms and systems, which should be used and designed in an equitable way; and being protected from abusive data practices. People should also receive notice when automated systems are being used and have the right to opt-out from AI and get access to a person who can quickly consider and remedy problems.
