Should Congress Regulate AI?

What's the story?

• In recent weeks, Congress has been considering legislation to regulate artificial intelligence. 
• Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has taken early steps toward legislation, circulating a broad framework on regulating AI among experts. The framework "outlines a new regulatory regime that would prevent potentially catastrophic damage to our country while simultaneously making sure the U.S. advances and leads in this transformative technology."
• In March, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced a bill written by ChatGPT that called for a nonpartisan commission on AI regulation.

Arguments for AI regulation

Ethics and safety

• Many have ethics and safety concerns about AI jeopardizing human welfare and privacy. They argue that Congress should develop moral security standards for AI technology. Lieu's proposal read:

"Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the development and deployment of AI is done in a way that is safe, ethical, and respects the rights and privacy of all Americans."

Employment and labor

• Supporters of the bill are urging Congress to address the employment and labor issues that come hand-in-hand with the distribution of AI. As AI technology disrupts industries and alters work, Congress regulation can protect workers and provide new opportunities. 
• States like California, Maryland, and Washington are already considering legislation to regulate the use of AI during the hiring process. In 2022, the federal Algorithmic Accountability Act was introduced in Congress, mandating employers to perform an impact assessment and evaluate the use of automated decision-making systems on employment.
• In a Senate Committee Hearing, Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology, said:

"When AI systems are used in these high-risk settings without responsible design and accountability, it can devastate people's lives. A person may be unfairly rejected from a job, be denied or unable to find housing, or be wrongly accused of fraud and stripped of the benefits they need to support their family."

National security

• Opponents of unregulated AI say it can pose national security risks through AI-powered cyberattacks, autonomous weapons, misinformation campaigns, and privacy violations.

Accountability 

• Others argue that the lack of AI governance guidelines, limited public understanding of AI, and the complexity of machine learning models raise accountability concerns. In a Committee Hearing, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental, said:

"This lack of visibility into how AI systems make decisions creates challenges for building public trust in their use."

Arguments against AI regulation

Innovation and competition

• Those against regulating AI point to Congress's hands-off approach to technology regulation, saying that too much oversight may stifle innovation and competition.

Cost

• Additionally, many feel that overregulation may create unnecessary costs and burdens for smaller companies and startups with limited resources.

Limiting benefits

• Some argue that AI has the potential to revolutionize industries, such as healthcare and transportation, and that regulations may restrict AI's benefits. During a Senate hearing, Rep. William Timmons (R-SC) said:  

"I couldn't imagine my life without Google, Apple, or Amazon. I haven't been to the grocery store in three years, and it's great. I'm sure this is going to create additional opportunities to make my life more efficient, and make me more capable of having a greater impact."

What do you think? Should Congress regulate AI?

(Photo Credit: Unsplash)

-Laura Woods