Key Points
- New AI Executive Order by President Biden: President Biden has issued a landmark executive order on AI, introducing the first significant regulatory framework in the U.S. This is a pivotal moment in AI governance, indicating a shift towards more structured regulation of AI technologies.
- Implications for Global Competitive Advantage: The executive order’s eight guiding principles and priorities could impact the competitive landscape of AI globally. Some fear it may disadvantage U.S. tech companies compared to those in less regulated countries.
- AI and the Criminal Justice System: A concerning aspect of the executive order is its implications for the use of AI in the U.S. criminal justice system. Ethical questions remain about the trustworthiness and bias of AI in legal outcomes.
Eight guiding principles and priorities
In a move that marks a significant turn in the regulation of technology, President Biden has issued an executive order on artificial intelligence, laying down the first substantial framework for AI governance in the United States. The Biden administration states this executive order is “to advance and govern the development and use of AI in accordance with eight guiding principles and priorities.“
Current AI Regulation
This executive order represents a presidential directive with the force of law but is distinct from legislation passed by Congress. It’s a step reflecting growing global concerns around AI, with entities like the European Union and China already entrenched in discussions about regulating this industry-changing technology. The U.S. has been considered among the least regulated countries for AI, but this order signifies a change in the tide given other countries are still debating their regulations.
The implications of this executive order are profound. It’s not just guiding principles and priorities; it’s a delineation of what AI will be allowed or not allowed to do in the future. We believe this executive order will affect AI operating commercially in the U.S. the most however the order’s ripple effects will be felt worldwide.
Competitive Advantage
We cannot help but wonder what the competitive landscape post-regulation will look like globally. Should the U.S. impose stringent limitations on AI, it could potentially restrict domestic companies, placing them at a competitive disadvantage compared to tech companies in other countries. This isn’t limited to just corporations; it’s about the everyday user who may find themselves with a narrower set of tools compared to someone in a different country. Imagine learning that a friend has access to advanced AI capabilities in their country which is banned in yours.
The potential exodus of businesses seeking technological freedom elsewhere is a very real concern. With the stroke of a pen, the U.S. risks driving innovation across borders. How will other countries capitalize on these less regulated landscapes to draw tech companies and entrepreneurs in?
AI benevolence?
Perhaps what we found most disturbing in the executive order is what it says about the use of AI in the U.S. criminal justice system. The prospect of AI influencing legal outcomes is unsettling. Remember, one year from now the next president of the United States will be delivered, “…a report that addresses the use of AI in the criminal justice system…”. It forces us to question whether we can trust AI to handle aspects of criminal justice ethically and without bias.
The policies formed today will shape your AI landscape tomorrow. Stay safe out there!
