New Delhi: US President Joe Biden recently met with CEOs from leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies, such as Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI, to discuss the potential risks associated with AI, including employment discrimination, privacy violations, and the potential for scams and misinformation campaigns. The meeting lasted for two hours and aimed to address the need for more transparency in the industry. The meeting was described as a “frank and constructive discussion” by the attendees.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, representatives from OpenAI, Anthropic, and others were present at the meeting. Vice President Kamala Harris also attended and highlighted the potential of AI to improve people’s lives while expressing concerns about privacy, safety, and civil rights.
According to a report by Reuters, Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, claimed that all companies present at the meeting were in agreement on the need for regulations. He said, “We’re surprisingly on the same page on what needs to happen.”
The White House also announced a $140 mn investment in seven new AI research institutes. A statement also stated that the Budget and the Office of Management would release policy guidance on the use of AI by the US federal government. Additionally, leading AI developers will participate in a public evaluation of their AI systems.
The rise of generative artificial intelligence has been a buzz word since the introduction of ChatGPT in November last year. Big profile launches from Microsoft and Google have raised concerns about the impact and safety of these disruptive tools. Many AI experts have issued warnings about the sudden growth of the technology, identifying privacy violations, direct threats to employment, scams at a mass scale, and misinformation campaigns as immediate threats to AI.
In conclusion, the recent meeting between President Biden and AI industry leaders highlights the need for more transparency and regulations surrounding AI. With the potential risks associated with AI, such as privacy violations, employment discrimination, and scams and misinformation campaigns, it is essential to address these concerns to ensure the safe and ethical development of AI technology. The investment in new AI research institutes and the public evaluation of AI systems will play a significant role in achieving this goal.
