What's Congress Going to Do about AI?

What's Congress Going to Do about Artificial Intelligence [AI]?

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New York Times [ 8/27/2023 ] - (Ian Prasad Philbrick) - "As increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence systems with the potential to reshape society come online, many experts, lawmakers and even executives of top A.I. companies want the U.S. Government to regulate the technology, and fast." (1)

But history suggests that comprehensive congressional regulations will not happen soon. C'est domage!

"The general pattern is it takes a while, said Michael Mittelstead, a technologist who studies A.I. at George Mason University's Mercatus Center." And Congress has consistently dragged its feet in terms of legislating regulations, but this article's author Ian Prasad Philbrick says, "It's possible that policymakers will defy history." But AI does present a challenge in HOW to regulate it."

"To regulate a new technology, Washington first has to try to understand it." 'We need to get up to speed very quickly,' Senator Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Democrat who is part of a bipartisan working group on AI . . .

Some advocates argue that AI combines an understanding that this creates:

• invasion of privacy, 
• misinformation, 
• hiring discrimination, 
• labor disruptions, 
• copywriting infringement, 
• electoral manipulation and weaponization by unfriendly governments 
• . . . in ways that do not have precedence.

Many want to have this regulation process happen fast. Many CEOs of AI companies have written letters asking that AI development be closely watched. "I have no idea where we'll be in two years," said Dewey Murdick, leader of Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

Historically, the regulation process has gradually improved as technology grows, such as with cars, television, and pharmaceuticals. 

Jay Obernolte, Californian Republican Congressman says, "Before we seek to regulate, we have to understand why we are regulating." Obernolte has a master's degree in AI. "Only when you understand that purpose can you craft a regulatory framework that achieves that purpose."

"Even so, lawmakers are saying that they're making strides. 'I actually have been very impressed with my colleagues' efforts to educate themselves.' Obernolte said. 'Things are moving, by congressional standards, extremely quickly.' "

Harvard professor, Daniel Carpenter, who studies the regulation process, says, "Congress does not have the analytic tools that it used to have." 

Obernolte continues to say that, "AI policy remains notably bipartisan. [Thank God!] "These regulatory issues that we are grappling with are not partisan issues, by and large." Obernolte drafted a bipartisan bill that allows researchers tools to experiment with AI technologies.

Will we need a Department of Information?

The article's author, Ian Prasad Philbrick, says "If federal regulation of AI did emerge, what might it look like? Some experts say a range of federal agencies already have regulatory powers that cover aspects of AI. The Federal Trade Commission could use its existing antitrust powers to prevent larger AI companies from dominating smaller ones."

Philbrick ends the article with, "Some aspects of AI may not fall under any existing federal agency's jurisdiction --- so some advocates want Congress to create a new one."

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Source: New York Sunday Times, August 27, 2023, pages 1 and 20.