AI Races Ahead with Government Left Behind

Considering the frantic pace of artificial intelligence (AI) development, it is hard to envision the government properly regulating AI to facilitate its benefits while limiting its harm. With AI technology available to any nation-state, no global regulatory body can enforce AI compliance guidelines.

AI represents a significant opportunity for tech companies to expand their portfolio of products and enhance existing ones. Google plans to release its latest AI product in January, which reportedly leaps ahead of the newest version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4. Microsoft invested over $12 billion in OpenAI and incorporated some of its product capabilities in Microsoft applications. Sovereign wealth funds, several from the oil-rich nations in the Middle East, fund their own AI research labs to compete with existing tech firms.

Governments Lack the Skills

With technology evolving so quickly, governments are not effectively structured to respond to the evolution of AI and intelligently regulate the industry. Instead, governments must facilitate conversations amongst tech giants, research labs, and stakeholders to develop meaningful standards reflecting AI knowledge. Including those best informed on the technology ensures that the criteria will be workable, balancing AI benefits versus its risks.

It is impossible to prevent every bad actor from using AI in a harmful way. Our task should be to limit potential harm as best as possible while continuing to explore how to make AI use safer and more aligned with human needs.

Source: How Nations are Losing a Global Race to Tackle A.I.’s Harms, NY Times, December 6, 2023