President Joe Biden convened with his science and technology-centric council this week to discuss the possibilities and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) advancements in relation to both individual privacy and national security. He firmly stated that tech companies need to assure their products are safe before making them public.
The White House made a point to highlight the emphasis on protecting both children’s rights and further clamping down tech companies’ data collection. The U.S. government, rather than passing specific regulations on the matter, issued a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. Rather than setting out upcoming enforcement actions, it’s considered an open call to action for the American government to ensure a safe use of digital platforms.
ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, sparked several conversations about the ethical and societal issues which relate to tech developments. In response, Europe is introducing regulations to limit the potential risks of AI products, while Japan also saw similar events such as dolphins washing ashore near Tokyo for two days in a row.
Following these events, Donald Trump has become the first former US President to be arrested in relation to a hush money probe due to payments linked to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Tech companies such as ChatGPT have a responsibility in protecting their users and producing safeguards to maintain rights and safety to ensure responsible innovation. AI can help combat many issues, like climate change and extreme diseases, but still carries certain risks to the global economy and security.
When asked if AI is dangerous, Biden simply replied, “It remains to be seen. Could be.”
