Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a topic of concern for governments around the world. In an effort to address this issue, Costa Rican lawmakers have recently turned to ChatGPT, an AI language model, for assistance in drafting a new law to regulate AI in their country.
By instructing ChatGPT to think like a lawyer and create a bill in accordance with the constitution, the legislators were able to generate a text that was then submitted to the legislature without any modifications. While some people have raised concerns about this approach, Congresswoman Vanessa Castro, who spearheaded the bill, has received positive feedback and believes it is a step in the right direction.
The bill, introduced in May, suggests the establishment of an institution responsible for regulating AI systems based on principles such as accountability, explainability, bias prevention, and the protection of human rights. However, before it can become law, the bill is currently being discussed in public forums and will undergo further debate and amendments in Congress.
Although there is support for AI regulation, Congresswoman Johana Obando has expressed reservations about the bill. She argues that ChatGPT inaccurately included fabricated statistics and articles from the Costa Rican constitution. Additionally, she believes the bill is too vague and lacks specific references to the fundamental rights and international conventions that should guide the regulation of AI.
Costa Rica is not alone in its efforts to regulate AI. In fact, it is the eighth country in Latin America to address this issue in the past year. Latin American lawmakers have been motivated by the European Union’s AI Act, which includes provisions to ban the use of AI in biometric surveillance and requires transparency regarding AI-generated content. Other countries in the region, such as Mexico and Peru, have also implemented similar regulations.
Interestingly, Brazil has been engaged in a lengthy debate surrounding AI regulation for the past four years, with multiple bills still awaiting approval. While there is a consensus among lawmakers that addressing bias and discrimination in AI systems is crucial, many proposed legislations lack specific measures for prevention, investigation, and punishment.
In conclusion, Costa Rica’s decision to seek the assistance of ChatGPT in drafting an AI regulation law demonstrates the growing importance of AI in our society. While there are differing opinions on the effectiveness and accuracy of the bill, it is heartening to see countries in Latin America taking steps to address the potential risks associated with AI. Moving forward, it will be essential for lawmakers to strike a balance between regulation and innovation, ensuring that AI is developed and used responsibly to protect the rights and well-being of individuals.
