A new chapter in artificial intelligence (AI) legislation has opened as the US House of Representatives New Democrat Coalition introduced an AI working group.
This coalition of 97 members aims to collaborate with President Joe Biden’s administration, industry stakeholders, and lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum to craft “sensible, bipartisan policies” to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI technology.
According to the report on the working group, one of the key focal points of the development is to harness the potential of AI for economic growth while safeguarding the interests of workers impacted by its adoption.
Since the beginning of the year 2023, there has been an increased interest in the use of AI globally with tools such as ChatGPT by OpenAI, and Bard by Google making waves. More than 100 million persons use ChatGPT as of June 2023.
Representative Derek Kilmer, the chair of the AI working group, emphasized the importance of tackling the spread of misinformation and the threat of advanced AI-generated deepfakes.
The group aims to address the potential misuse of AI technology, emphasizing the urgency of informed congressional action.
“This AI Working Group will focus on understanding AI’s many applications, assessing their benefits and drawbacks, and proposing policies that position the U.S. as a world leader in AI innovation and safety.”
The formation of this AI working group reflects growing concern over the ramifications of AI on various fronts, including the rise of AI-generated disinformation and the ethical implications of AI applications like deepfakes.
Lawmakers, industry leaders, and experts in the field have highlighted the need to ensure responsible and accountable AI development.
In May 2023, Vice President Kamala Harris, along with top advisers of President Biden, held discussions with AI industry CEOs, to address concerns and risks related to AI.
Also, in June, President Biden convened an AI-focused meeting with experts in Silicon Valley, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to address AI’s impact.
