Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai recently suggested in a Financial Times article that AI should be regulated due to its potential safety and efficiency risks. Pichai has been at the helm of Google since 2015, and is known for his enthusiasm for the potential of AI. He said that while some companies are racing to become the first movers in the AI space, it is important to remember the greater implications of this technology and to make sure it is developed responsibly.
Google has been using AI technologies in its products and services for over a decade, and ensures that its use is carefully managed in accordance with their AI Principles. Google’s AI chatbot, “Bard,” was released in March but the company is also aware of the potential downsides of technology if used carelessly. An example of this is the case of Timnit Gebru, a former Google computer scientist who was fired after pointing out the dangers of bias in AI tools.
In light of these issues, Pichai is optimistic that with the right regulation, AI can be a valuable tool for many. He referred to Google’s AI principles which include a commitment to developing the technology responsibly and avoiding harmful applications. He is hopeful that as a society, we can get this right.
In addition to discussing these matters with Vice President Kamala Harris and other tech leaders at the White House, Pichai said that AI is “too important not to regulate well.” This echoes a call to action from tech leaders such as Elon Musk which advocates for a pause on the development of more powerful AI than OpenAI’s GPT-4, due to the risks it could pose to the public.
Overall, Pichai’s comments emphasize the need for technology companies to be held accountable for the ways in which they are developing and utilizing AI. As AI continues to rapidly evolve, this conversation will become even more important.
