SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to assemble a panel of technology leaders on Tuesday for a crucial discussion on artificial intelligence (AI).
The Biden administration aims to tackle the regulatory challenges posed by the rapidly evolving field of AI, with a focus on fostering its potential for economic growth and national security while mitigating its potential risks. Biden plans to engage with eight experts representing academia and advocacy groups.
The advent of AI chatbot ChatGPT and similar tools has ignited substantial investments in the industry. AI tools possess the ability to generate text, music, images, and computer code that closely resemble human creations. Such automation has the potential to enhance worker productivity, but experts caution against several detrimental effects. The technology can potentially replace workers, leading to job losses. Moreover, it is already being utilized to produce misleading images and videos, thereby becoming a medium for disinformation that undermines the integrity of democratic elections.
In a previous instance, the Biden administration had already gathered CEOs of tech companies at the White House in May to address these concerns. During the meeting, President Biden acknowledged the immense potential and risks associated with their technological advancements.
The office of White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients is currently working on a series of measures that the federal government can implement in the upcoming weeks to address AI-related challenges. High-ranking officials are engaging in frequent meetings, two to three times per week, to address this issue, in addition to the daily efforts of federal agencies. The administration aims to secure commitments from private companies to actively address the potential risks posed by AI.
On Tuesday, President Biden will convene a meeting at the Fairmont hotel in San Francisco, where he will be joined by notable figures such as Tristan Harris, the Executive Director of the Center for Humane Technology; Jim Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media; and Joy Buolamwin, the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, among others. The purpose of this gathering is to discuss and explore possible approaches to regulating AI.
During his visit to the San Francisco area, President Biden is also engaging in fundraising activities for his 2024 reelection campaign. He has scheduled two fundraising events on Tuesday, following two held on Monday. Notably, one of the Monday fundraisers was hosted by Kevin Scott, the Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President for AI at Microsoft.