In closed forum, tech titans to give senators advice on artificial intelligence

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been discussing the challenging task of passing bipartisan legislation in the next year to promote rapid artificial intelligence development and address its major risks. On Wednesday, he will hold a meeting with prominent technology executives and others to seek their input on how Congress can achieve this.

The closed-door gathering on Capitol Hill will feature nearly twenty tech leaders and advocates, including influential figures like Mark Zuckerberg from Meta, Elon Musk from X and Tesla, and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates. Although all 100 senators are invited, the event will not be open to the public.

Schumer, a Democrat from New York, co-leading the forum with Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, won't necessarily follow the advice of tech executives but hopes to gain realistic guidance as he aims to accomplish what Congress has struggled with for years – enacting meaningful tech industry regulations.

Schumer acknowledges that regulating artificial intelligence is an exceptionally complex task due to its technical nature, constantly evolving landscape, and far-reaching global impact.

Historically, Congress has struggled to regulate technology, with numerous bipartisan proposals failing to lead to significant legislation. This includes bills related to social media, child protection, election activity, and privacy standards.

The bipartisan group led by Schumer and Rounds, including Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich and Republican Sen. Todd Young, believes the rapid growth of AI demands urgent action. Businesses across various sectors have been quick to adopt generative AI tools, causing concerns about societal harm and calls for greater transparency in data usage.

Schumer emphasizes the need for government involvement to establish safeguards, preventing unforeseen consequences in the AI space.

The forum will focus on fundamental questions, such as whether the government should have a role and what Congress should inquire about. Each participant will have three minutes to address their chosen topic, fostering open discussions moderated by Schumer and Rounds throughout the day.

While some influential guests, like Musk and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, express grave concerns about AI control, many lawmakers and constituents are more immediately concerned about AI's impact on employment and the spread of AI-generated misinformation.

Forrester's recent report predicts that generative AI could replace 2.4 million U.S. jobs by 2030, with 90,000 jobs reshaped this year alone. AI-generated disinformation also poses a growing threat to elections, including the upcoming 2024 presidential race.

On a positive note, Rounds envisions the potential for AI to empower medical technologies that save lives and provide more data to medical professionals, a cause that holds personal significance for him following his wife's death from cancer.

While most members of Congress agree on the need for AI legislation, there is little consensus on its specifics or the level of regulation required. Some Republicans are cautious about emulating the European Union's comprehensive AI rules, while many tech companies support AI regulation in principle.

In the United States, various tech firms advocate for AI regulations, although the exact approach varies. Adobe, for example, proposes federal legislation to protect artists and AI developers from misuse of generative AI tools.

Senators remain determined to regulate the AI industry, even though it presents challenges. Sen. Richard Blumenthal's framework suggests a licensing system for high-risk AI systems, an independent oversight body led by experts, and holding companies accountable for breaches of privacy, civil rights, or public safety.

In conclusion, despite the hurdles, there is a consensus among lawmakers that AI regulation is inevitable, and discussions will continue on how to achieve it effectively.