AI Weekly: How to regulate facial recognition to preserve freedom

Today Microsoft president Brad Smith called for federal regulation of facial recognition software. "In a democratic republic, there is no substitute for decision making by our elected representatives regarding the issues that require the balancing of public safety with the essence of our democratic freedoms. Facial recognition will require the public and private sectors alike to step up -- and to act," Smith wrote in a blog post. Recent events explain why Smith is speaking out now. Last month, while the majority of U.S. citizens was outraged about the idea of separating families who unlawfully entered the United States, Microsoft was criticized by the public and hundreds of its own employees for its contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).