Artificial intelligence poses significant risks to privacy and safety, and protective federal regulation is urgently needed in the United States.of european union and China We are already taking measures to protect our people. But once again, America’s efforts have been slow and, frankly, embarrassing.
In an unfortunate turn of events, advancing AI legislation through Congress will require the support of one person: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.
Last spring, Schumer made a series of high-profile announcements that showed he was serious about his AI efforts. Some concrete actions Mr. Schumer has taken since then have yet to bear fruit, relying too heavily on the very industry insiders that need regulatory rein.
Well, the Schumer AI report is finally complete, and it’s a plain, vague, toothless clown car.
Schumer himself has called for regulation “A small number of powerful large companies”—big tech CEOs with deep pockets—and publicly vowed that no such thing would happen. Still, he seems to value their opinions more than anyone else’s.
So what did he do?
Schumer secretly hosted a series of private, invite-only insight “forums” featuring tech company CEOs and others who are already amassing billions from AI in a Wild West setting. . These forums were unprecedented in nature, and he shut out reporters, the general public, and numerous experts who have contributed to a large evidence base on the effects of AI that need to be addressed by regulation.
The most high-profile of these forums took place in September, when Schumer An exclusive set of the most influential tech CEOs., Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and more. The CEOs spoke from a script, but senators were barred from asking questions, sparking bipartisan frustration.
Schumer convened the walking group Almost a year ago. That report was expected months ago. Finally, after a long delay, secrecy and territorialism — in addition to new AI tools, capabilities, and acquisitions — we have it. And as expected, it reflects the views and aspirations of the CEOs of big tech companies.
Nothing moves the debate forward in terms of content, priorities or corporate accountability. Nothing is said about the effects of AI failing or harming us. As for the environmental costs of AI systems, this is exactly what the industry wants, which is a total nod. It’s almost all “review, evaluate, review, encourage” and is geared toward a laundry list that is noticeably devoid of anything other than industry topics. And if the government “acts” (or urges itself to act?), it is clearly because it allows an unchecked industry to continue to trample society with sloppy systems and little accountability. will only do so.
If people like Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman have to accept regulation in the first place, they are determined to get opaque, industry-friendly legislation out of Congress that hinders enforcement so they can continue to harvest. Probably. huge profits From the fertile AI fields they are currently cultivating. And Schumer is helping them.
“These tech billionaires want to lobby Congress behind closed doors, no questions asked.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said. (Massachusetts Democratic Party). “You don’t get a chance to be heard about things like this,” complained John Thune, RS.D. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) was more blunt: “I think it’s ridiculous that all these monopolies are here to tell senators how to shape the regulatory framework so that they can make the most money,” he said. said.
For example, AI policy advocates sarah myers west He says enforcing existing regulations that prohibit privacy violations and anti-competitive behavior by big tech companies needs to be a core element of any effective regulatory scheme. However, only a small number of civil society organizations and experts participated in the framework discussions, and policy recommendations from the White House were omitted. Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. This selective inclusion reeks of tokenism. Civil society, workers, workers, community organizations and others should be the leading voice, not just ‘consulted’.
Excluding the experts who best understand the subject in favor of corporate lobbyists who have a material economic interest in obstruction and obstruction is precisely the wrong way to approach complex regulatory policy. , especially given that AI will impact virtually every area of life in the coming decades.
We cannot allow Big Tech to manipulate the rules in their favor. And as long as these giant corporations are involved in making laws, the public is entitled to full transparency.
The only way to create and pass meaningful guardrails for AI in the public interest is to allow independent experts and interested citizens to participate in the process. Lawmakers should consult actual experts about potential harms, especially those who do not have a potential regulatory conflict of interest.
Meanwhile, the dangers of AI overreach and large-scale corporate concentration have become even more acute, giving Senator Schumer another year and another wasted opportunity to advance the conversation.
Alix Dunn is the founder and CEO of Computer SaysMaybe. A socio-technical company that supports nonprofit organizations, foundations, and businesses on a wide range of issues related to the impact of technology on society.
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