U.S. President Joe Biden called a meeting with his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology today to discuss the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and their potential risks and opportunities.
In a statement, President Biden emphasized the responsibility of technology companies developing AI to prioritize the safety of their products before releasing them to the public. While acknowledging the positive impacts of AI in addressing challenges such as disease and climate change, he stressed the need for creators also to address potential risks to society, the economy, and national security.
The White House reported that President Biden would use the meeting to emphasize the importance of protecting rights and safety in pursuing responsible innovation, including implementing appropriate safeguards. He also reiterated his call for Congress to pass legislation to protect children and reduce data collection by technology firms.
Artificial intelligence (AI) advancements have garnered attention recently with the emergence of OpenAI LP’s popular ChatGPT chatbot. This chatbot has the ability to answer a wide range of questions with human-like proficiency, sparking a race among technology firms to develop similar programs. However, concerns have arisen regarding these tools’ ethical and societal implications as they generate convincing prose and create artistic imagery.
Just last week, Italy’s government announced a temporary block on access to ChatGPT due to concerns over data privacy. European Union lawmakers are reportedly considering new regulations to limit high-risk AI products.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada also announced an investigation into OpenAI following a complaint alleging the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information without consent. China, which has previously banned access to Google, Twitter, and Facebook, reportedly banned ChatGPT in February.
Prominent technology leaders in the U.S., including Elon Musk, Chief Executive of Tesla Inc., and Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., recently signed an open letter from the Future of Life Institute proposing a six-month pause on large-scale AI development. However, some observers noted that Musk may be interested in slowing others’ AI efforts.
In his remarks, President Biden did not mention the letter but instead referred to the White House’s Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, unveiled last year. This blueprint includes a set of comprehensive goals aimed at preventing harm caused by the growth of AI systems, with guidelines on protecting personal data and limiting surveillance.
“Last October, we proposed a bill of rights to ensure that important protections are built into AI systems from the start so that we don’t have to implement them retroactively,” Biden said. “I look forward to today’s discussion on responsible innovation, appropriate guardrails to protect America’s rights and safety, and addressing potential bias and disinformation.”
When asked by a reporter if he considers AI dangerous, Biden responded, “It remains to be seen. It could be.”