Tuesday saw President Biden pulling up a chair with a group of society leaders, known for their skepticism towards the giants of the tech industry, to have a heart-to-heart about the rise of artificial intelligence. This forms part of a broader initiative by the U.S. government to become more engaged in the conversation surrounding AI and its potential dangers.
Biden, during his brief interaction with the press before the San Francisco gathering, expressed his desire to understand the potential protective measures that could safeguard people from the perils of emerging tech.
“We’ve already seen the damage that unchecked powerful technology can do, courtesy of social media,” Biden pointed out. “This group has a lot to teach me, and we have plenty to talk about.”
The roundtable included notable personalities such as Tristan Harris, the executive director of the Center for Humane Technology known for his critique of social media corporations, Joy Buolamwini, the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League who spotlighted how AI and algorithms can perpetuate racist and sexist biases, and Jim Steyer, the CEO of Common Sense Media, a long-term children’s advocate.
Post-meeting, in an interview, Steyer spoke highly of Biden’s engagement and leadership during the session which spanned over an hour. The president emphasized the need to prevent AI from undermining American democracy as the group explored how these tools could magnify misinformation and deepen political divides, Steyer explained.
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“He was really committed to the discussion, which was encouraging to see,” he said. “It’s clear he understands the importance of this issue and sees that the responsibility cannot be left entirely in the hands of a few massive corporations.”
Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, OpenAI are in a race to develop AI tools and make them accessible to millions. While these companies have been advocating for potential regulations to governments worldwide, critics warn that these firms, driven by profits, are trying to preempt strict government controls or influence them for their own gain.
The roundtable reflected on both the “remarkable opportunities” and the “drawbacks” of AI technologies, including their potential to revolutionize sectors like healthcare and education, Steyer noted.
Underlining its commitment to the rise of AI and its inherent risks, the White House has been proactive. In May, the president held discussions with the CEOs of OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google about the tech. The government also released an “AI bill of rights”, detailing the guidelines for federal agencies’ use of AI. And the National Science Foundation has earmarked new funding for AI research.
Prior to the roundtable, Biden announced that Vice President Harris will hold a subsequent AI-focused session next month with civil rights leaders and consumer advocates.
The attention given to AI is mirrored in Congress, with the House and the Senate conducting hearings on the technology. However, it remains to be seen whether this focus will translate into legislation.
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