new federal agency
Biden makes 'equity,' civil rights a top priority in development of 'responsible' AI
The Biden administration on Tuesday sought input from the public on how to ensure artificial intelligence develops in a way that supports "equity" and civil rights and helps "underserved communities," as part of a broader plan to promote "responsible" AI. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced it is seeking input from any interested party on how to reach these and other goals as AI systems are developed. Policymakers and AI developers are increasingly in agreement on the need for federal rules, and possibly even a new federal agency, to ensure the risks of AI are managed. To inform this work, OSTP asked a series of questions on how to protect people's rights and safety as AI systems become more widely used, as well as questions related to "advancing equity and strengthening civil rights. HERE'S HOW AI IS BEING USED TO UNLOCK SECRETS STILL HIDDEN IN THE HUMAN BRAIN President Biden on Tuesday released a new plan for government research into AI, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is asking how to make sure AI boosts'equity.' (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) "What are the opportunities for AI to enhance equity and how can these be fostered?" "For example, what are the potential benefits for AI in enabling broadened prosperity, expanding economic and educational opportunity, increasing access to services, and advancing civil rights?
Senate warned of 'perfect storm' leading to emerging AI disaster: 'Democracy itself is threatened'
Senators on Tuesday got the green light to impose significant federal regulation on artificial intelligence systems, not just from two industry giants, but from an AI expert who warned that the fate of the nation may depend on tough AI rules from Congress. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee heard from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and IBM Chief Privacy & Trust Officer Christina Montgomery, who both invited federal oversight of AI even though they split on whether a new federal agency is needed. In between those witnesses sat Gary Marcus, the New York University professor emeritus and leader of Uber's AI labs from 2016 to 2017, who issued a stark warning that human life is about to be upended by this unpredictable technology. "They can and will create persuasive lies at a scale humanity has never seen before," Marcus warned of generative AI systems. "Outsiders will use them to affect our elections, insiders to manipulate our markets and our political systems. Marcus warned that AI systems that do severe damage to humans' trust in each other have already been released and that the damage is already mounting. Gary Marcus, professor emeritus at New York University, speaks during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. "A law professor, for example, was accused by a chatbot of sexual harassment.
OpenAI CEO Altman politely declines job as top AI regulator: 'I love my current job'
Sam Altman, the CEO of artificial intelligence lab OpenAI, told a Senate panel he welcomes federal regulation on the technology "to mitigate" its risks. The CEO of the company that delivered ChatGPT to the world said Tuesday he was not interested in becoming the federal government's top regulator of artificial intelligence technology. CEO Sam Altman and other witnesses at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee were asked what they would do to ensure the government has a firm grip on how AI is developed and deployed, and Altman said his first step would be to create a new federal agency. "I would form a new agency that licenses any effort above a certain scale of capabilities and can take that license away and ensure compliance with safety standards," he said in response to a question from Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. Sam Altman, CEO and co-founder of OpenAI, speaks during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
What Americans think about creating a new federal agency to oversee the robots
Even amid the majority concerns, only 32 percent of Americans support the creation of a Federal Robotics Commission to regulate development and usage of robots. However, 39 percent of Americans between ages 18 and 34 were in favor of the robotics agency, compared to only 25 percent of older people (55 and over). That's the result that West found most interesting, suggesting that support for the idea may continue to increase. "If young people hold on to those views as they age, that would suggest we're headed towards more government regulation," West said. The Trump administration does have a major reorganization of federal agencies on its agenda, including a proposed combination of the Department of Education and Labor.