EU and US lawmakers are working together to draft a code of conduct for artificial intelligence (AI) as industry leaders and politicians around the globe debate the potential threats posed by the technology. Although formal legislation aimed at regulating AI is currently in development in both jurisdictions, it may take years for those regulations to be finalized and implemented. In contrast, this proposed draft is expected to be completed within weeks and will serve as an interim bridge while other legislation is passed.
The European Commission has published the first draft of its AI act, which forbids the use of AI when it could become a threat to safety or human rights. It also provides stipulations around the use of AI based on the risk level it poses. For example, the interaction with a chatbot in a customer service setting would be considered low risk. While lawmakers have agreed on the language of the act in principle, voting on the act in the European parliament is not expected until June.
Meanwhile, the US government is currently consulting on what their AI regulatory framework should look like. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have recently met with executives from leading AI companies to discuss the potential dangers of the technology. Additionally, two Senate committees met with industry experts in the field, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, IBM executive Christina Montgomery, and New York University professor emeritus Gary Marcus.
On May 30, hundreds of tech industry leaders, academics and other public figures signed an open letter warning that AI could lead to an extinction event. They emphasized that controlling the technology should be a top global priority. European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager echoed this sentiment at a meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Sweden a day after the open letter was published. She said, &https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVlnSGJ4VXdLMlV3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrVDJVNGJuQnFRVUZwTXpCblRVZHNXSFJ5YW1GRFVUMDk-8220;We need accountable artificial intelligence. Generative AI is a complete game changer.&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVlnSGJ4VXdLMlV3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrVDJVNGJuQnFRVUZwTXpCblRVZHNXSFJ5YW1GRFVUMDk-8221;
Vestager is responsible for the European Union&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVlnSGJ4VXdLMlV3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrVDJVNGJuQnFRVUZwTXpCblRVZHNXSFJ5YW1GRFVUMDk-8217;s competition and digital strategy. She added that lawmakers should make the new code of conduct quickly, and encouraged other global partners to come on board to help ensure as many jurisdictions as possible are covered. To inform the code of conduct, officials will seek feedback from industry players and invite parties to sign up.
The TTC was founded in 2021 to coordinate technology and trade policy between the US and the EU. The council comprises 10 working groups, each focusing on specific policy areas such as technology standards, data governance and technology platforms, and misuse of technology threatening security and human rights.
OpenAI&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVlnSGJ4VXdLMlV3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrVDJVNGJuQnFRVUZwTXpCblRVZHNXSFJ5YW1GRFVUMDk-8217;s CEO, Sam Altman, had previously criticized the EU&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVlnSGJ4VXdLMlV3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrVDJVNGJuQnFRVUZwTXpCblRVZHNXSFJ5YW1GRFVUMDk-8217;s AI Act, accusing the bloc of over-regulating and suggesting that the company might cease operations in Europe if the regulations were passed in their current form. Although he wasn&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVlnSGJ4VXdLMlV3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrVDJVNGJuQnFRVUZwTXpCblRVZHNXSFJ5YW1GRFVUMDk-8217;t present at the TTC event, Vestager met virtually with him after the session to discuss the voluntary code of conduct.
In conclusion, as AI technology continues to grow, lawmakers must ensure that it is regulated and held accountable for its impact on society. This proposed code of conduct would be a crucial step in bridging the gap between formal legislation and AI&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVlnSGJ4VXdLMlV3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrVDJVNGJuQnFRVUZwTXpCblRVZHNXSFJ5YW1GRFVUMDk-8217;s rapid development. By creating regulations that balance risk management and innovation, governments can ensure that this transformative technology is used to improve people&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPVlnSGJ4VXdLMlV3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrVDJVNGJuQnFRVUZwTXpCblRVZHNXSFJ5YW1GRFVUMDk-8217;s lives while minimizing its negative effects.