Rebooting Democracy - News That Caught Our Eye #4: February 13th, 2024

Published on January 1, 1970

Summary

This week in the news: semiconductor chips, Pakistani elections, and a lot of updates from the federal space. It’s our weekly news download, where we highlight the stories, research, and innovations that illuminate how AI is impacting governance and democracy.

News That Caught Our Eye

Biden-Harris Administration Announces First-Ever Consortium Dedicated to AI Safety

on February 5, 2024 in U.S. Department of Commerce

In a bid to ensure "safety standards and protect our innovation ecosystem," the Biden-Harris administration launched the first-ever US AI Safety Institute Consortium. This collaborative effort unites academia, industry, and civil society to encourage responsible development. While the effort seems to be risk-oriented, here’s hoping policy outcomes prioritize innovation and integration as well.

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News That Caught Our Eye

Sam Altman Seeks Trillions of Dollars to Reshape Business of Chips and AI

Keach Hagey and Asa Fitch on February 8, 2024 in The Wall Street Journal

OpenAI's Sam Altman is now seeking a staggering $5-7 trillion to increase chip fabrication and dominate AI, raising concerns about feasibility, market disruption, and user experience. Altman should be focusing on current AI challenges like security, collectivity, and transparency instead, leaving me questioning his motives and potential conflict of interest in controlling both chip and AI markets.

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News That Caught Our Eye

The E.U. Is Pushing Tech Titans to Help Preserve Fair and Free Elections. Can the U.S. Do the Same?

MELISSA ANGELL on February 8, 2024 in Inc.

Attention, tech giants! The EU is pursuing new election security guidelines to target deepfakes, asking tech companies to lay out their own prevention measures for misinformation and disinformation in an election year. From watermarks to user warnings, certain steps to protect users are necessary – will the U.S. follow suit? Catch the quote from Beth Noveck, which notes that the EU’s history of stringent tech regulation often has a global ripple effect.

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News That Caught Our Eye

Congress Must Keep Pace with AI

Maya Kornberg on February 8, 2024 in The Brennan Center

As we keep saying, Congress urgently needs an AI upgrade. A new report by the Brennan Center warns that lawmakers are falling behind on understanding and implementing technologies. This knowledge gap, the report argues, hinders effective legislation and oversight, which could then hinder the positive aspects of AI's potential. Some congressional offices are trying, but it's past time for a wide scale, upskill across Congress on responsible AI governance.

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News That Caught Our Eye

DHS Launches First-of-its-Kind Initiative to Hire 50 Artificial Intelligence Experts in 2024

on February 6, 2024 in U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security's new "DHS AI Corps" initiative is a shining example of government embracing AI for the benefit of all. By recruiting 50 related experts, DHS will use AI to tackle critical challenges like countering fentanyl trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations – all while enhancing their overall efficiency and productivity. This move sets a positive precedent for other government agencies, as many are clearly struggling to follow suit.

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News That Caught Our Eye

Google pledges 25 million euros to boost AI skills in Europe

Martin Coulter on February 12, 2024 in Reuters

Google is investing €25 million to help Europeans develop AI skills, partnering with organizations and offering free online courses in 18 languages. The workforce-development initiative claims to bridge the digital divide and prepare Europeans for the evolving AI landscape. It begs the question: how will participating non-profits and social enterprises be chosen?

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News That Caught Our Eye

Pakistan’s Imran Khan uses AI to make victory speech from jail

Varg Folkman on February 11, 2024 in Politico

While concerns over deepfakes in elections persist, former Pakistani PM Khan's AI speech highlights their potential for positive uses like training videos and public service announcements. This underscores the need for responsible regulation of the tech’s uses, rather than the tech itself – to harness AI's potential while mitigating risks.

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News That Caught Our Eye

The FCC bans robocalls with AI-generated voices

Emma Roth on February 8, 2024 in The Verge

Last week, the FCC clarified existing regulations and clamped down on AI-powered robocalls, empowering state attorneys general to combat deceptive practices. While vigilance against AI misuse in elections is crucial, politicos should also recognize its mass potential for positive applications to citizen engagement. Think fair redistricting and inclusive campaign outreach.

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