News/Governance
AI hackathon in San Francisco tackles real-world challenges
The emerging intersection of artificial intelligence and social impact is creating new opportunities for technologists to address pressing community challenges through targeted hackathon events. Event Overview: A two-day Hack for Social Impact event in San Francisco brought together over 100 computer engineers, data scientists, and professionals to develop technological solutions for nonprofits and international organizations. The hackathon aims to create tools that address issues ranging from affordable housing development to tenant rights violations and global land degradation Participating organizations include Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, UC Berkeley's Terner Center for Housing Innovation, and the United Nations Convention to...
read Nov 5, 2024Big Tech and AI startups are starting to choose leaders by lottery — why that’s a good thing
The resurgence of sortition in modern governance: Sortition, an ancient practice of selecting decision-makers through random lottery, is experiencing a revival in various sectors, including tech companies and AI startups, as a method to address issues of trust and representation in decision-making processes. Sortition, also known as "government by lottery," was originally used in ancient Athenian democracy to elect public officials. Modern applications of sortition can be seen in tech giants like Meta and AI companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, which are using this method to shape their policies. The renewed interest in sortition comes at a time when...
read Nov 4, 20242 new books issue fresh warnings about AI ahead of the US election
Technological threats to democracy: As the United States approaches its presidential election on November 5, concerns about technology's potential to disrupt the democratic process, particularly through AI-generated misinformation, are reaching new heights. Two recently published books, "Taming Silicon Valley: How We Can Ensure that AI Works for Us" by Gary Marcus and "The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley" by Marietje Schaake, offer critical perspectives on the increasing influence of technology companies on politics and society. Both authors warn about the outsized power of Silicon Valley and its potential to undermine democratic processes, albeit from different angles....
read Nov 4, 2024How CIOs are sharpening AI governance policies in an uncertain market
The AI governance imperative: As generative AI projects increasingly move into production environments, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are facing mounting pressure to establish robust AI governance policies to safeguard their enterprises. The rapid advancement of AI technology has outpaced the development of formal standards, forcing CIOs to craft internal policies to address the unique challenges posed by AI implementation. While government and research institutions have proposed some frameworks, these are often insufficient to address the complex and evolving nature of AI applications in enterprise settings. US organizations are notably behind their European counterparts in establishing multidisciplinary governance committees, a key...
read Nov 2, 2024Why data is the limiting factor to all AI progress and business success
AI implementation hampered by data challenges: Recent surveys reveal that companies are struggling with data-related issues, hindering their ability to effectively implement artificial intelligence initiatives, particularly generative AI. A survey by Presidio of 1,000 IT executives found that 86% reported data-related barriers, such as difficulties in gaining meaningful insights and issues with real-time data access. Half of the executives surveyed believe they rushed into generative AI implementation before being fully prepared, with 84% of those who have adopted generative AI experiencing issues with their data sources. The survey highlights that readiness for AI adoption goes beyond just implementing the technology;...
read Oct 31, 2024How the US presidential election will shape global AI policy
The AI crossroads in American politics: The 2025 U.S. presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris represents a pivotal moment for the future of artificial intelligence, with the candidates offering starkly different visions for America's approach to this transformative technology. Contrasting AI philosophies: Harris and Trump present opposing viewpoints on how to handle the rapid advancement of AI, reflecting broader ideological differences about the role of government in technological progress. Harris advocates for "responsible innovation," emphasizing ethical guidelines, international cooperation, and robust privacy protections. The Biden administration's executive order on AI, which Harris is likely to continue, requires rigorous...
read Oct 31, 2024How to stop AI’s concerning trend toward illiberalism
The growing threat of unregulated AI to democracy: Artificial intelligence is posing significant risks to democratic institutions and practices beyond just election integrity, with potential to undermine civil rights and individual opportunities through opaque and unaccountable systems. Ungoverned AI systems are trending towards illiberalism, eroding democratic norms, practices, and the rule of law without proper oversight or public accountability. Unlike other regulated industries, AI systems lack transparency and mechanisms for public scrutiny, making it difficult to assess and address their societal impacts. Concrete examples of AI-related harms include facial recognition technologies misidentifying people of color, biased loan algorithms, and AI...
read Oct 31, 2024Why CIOs must make ethical AI a priority
The growing importance of ethical AI for CIOs: As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, the role of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in ensuring ethical AI practices has become increasingly crucial for organizational success and societal well-being. Salima Bhimani, former chief strategist for responsible technology at Alphabet and current CEO of 10Xresponsibletech, emphasizes the significance of ethical AI for both organizations and humanity as a whole. Bhimani defines ethical AI as a three-pronged approach: eliminating harm, expanding benefits, and building symbiotic AI-human systems. Strategic advantages of ethical AI: Pursuing ethical AI practices aligns with the evolving strategic roles of CIOs...
read Oct 29, 2024Hong Kong plans AI regulations to safeguard financial sector
Hong Kong's stance on AI regulation in finance: Christopher Hui, Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services, emphasizes the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need for proper governance in financial markets. Hui identifies AI as a high-priority topic for Hong Kong's financial sector. The Secretary stresses the necessity of implementing appropriate oversight measures for AI applications in financial markets. This statement suggests Hong Kong is actively considering how to regulate AI within its financial services industry. Broader implications for global fintech: Hong Kong's focus on AI regulation in finance reflects a growing trend among major financial hubs to address...
read Oct 28, 2024White House AI memo on national security garners positive feedback
AI takes center stage in national security strategy: President Biden's National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence outlines a comprehensive approach to harness AI's potential for national security while managing associated risks. Key objectives and directives: The NSM focuses on three primary goals to strengthen the United States' position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Lead in safe AI development: The memorandum emphasizes improving security in chip supply chains and designates the AI Safety Institute as the primary point of contact for the AI industry within the U.S. government. Leverage AI for national security: It calls for the creation of...
read Oct 26, 2024Teens reveal true opinions on artificial intelligence
Teenagers prioritize AI risks as a top concern: A new poll reveals that American teenagers consider addressing potential risks of artificial intelligence a crucial issue for lawmakers, rivaling long-standing concerns like social inequality and climate change. The poll, conducted by the Center for Youth and AI and YouGov, surveyed 1,017 U.S. teens aged 13-18 in July and August 2024. 80% of respondents believe it's "extremely" or "somewhat" important for lawmakers to address AI risks, ranking just below healthcare access and affordability as a top priority. This level of concern surpassed social inequality (78%) and climate change (77%) among the surveyed...
read Oct 24, 2024Why G2 expects ‘AI bias audits’ to become more important in 2025
The rise of AI in recruiting: Navigating bias and regulation: As artificial intelligence continues to transform various industries, the recruitment sector is poised for significant changes, with AI bias audits expected to become a crucial component of HR consulting in 2025 and beyond. Regulatory landscape shaping AI adoption: The implementation of the EU's "AI Act" in July 2023 has set the stage for increased scrutiny and regulation of AI in recruiting. The Act classifies recruiting as a "high-risk" industry, mandating transparency, assessments, and traceability in AI systems used for hiring processes. This regulatory framework is likely to drive both increased...
read Oct 21, 2024Why the science of AI can’t be left to scientists alone
The global AI governance challenge: The United Nations' recent agreement to establish an "independent international Scientific Panel on AI" highlights the growing need for international coordination on artificial intelligence governance, but also raises questions about the most effective approach to achieve this goal. The lack of scientific consensus on AI risks and benefits has become a major obstacle for regulatory efforts at various levels of government, from local to international. World leaders are struggling to find common ground on AI policy, with differing perspectives emerging between countries like the United States and United Kingdom on one side, and France and...
read Oct 19, 2024Southeast Asian nations collaborate on new AI cybersecurity initiative
ASEAN bolsters cybersecurity collaboration in response to evolving threats: Southeast Asian nations have reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation in strengthening the region's cyber defenses, with the launch of a physical Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) facility in Singapore. The ASEAN Regional CERT was officially inaugurated during the 9th ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity, held in conjunction with the Singapore International Cyber Week 2024. Singapore, as the current chair of the ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting, will fund and host the CERT facility for up to 10 years, with operational costs estimated at $10.1 million over the decade. The physical CERT...
read Oct 17, 2024Advancing tech, innovation and AI governance in Africa
Rwanda's AI Initiative: Fostering Innovation and Governance: Rwanda's Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) is spearheading efforts to accelerate responsible adoption of emerging technologies, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to transform the African continent. The Center's Mission and Global Context: C4IR Rwanda is part of a broader network of 20 centers worldwide, established by the World Economic Forum to drive technological innovation and governance. The center aims to accelerate innovation through an AI innovation lab, develop AI talent, and elevate Africa's role in global AI governance discussions. This initiative positions Rwanda as a key...
read Oct 16, 2024OpenAI’s conversion to a for-profit entity would raise big questions about its future
OpenAI's Nonprofit Dilemma: OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, faces potential challenges stemming from its nonprofit origins as its valuation has skyrocketed to $157 billion, prompting considerations of a corporate restructure. OpenAI's current structure consists of a nonprofit organization overseeing for-profit subsidiaries, with a mission to develop artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. CEO Sam Altman has confirmed that the company is exploring the possibility of restructuring, potentially transitioning to a public benefit corporation. If the nonprofit loses control of its subsidiaries, it may be required to pay for assets that originally belonged to the nonprofit entity. Key Considerations for...
read Oct 15, 2024Anthropic publishes updated AI scaling policy for responsible growth
Anthropic's enhanced AI safety framework: Anthropic has unveiled a significant update to its Responsible Scaling Policy (RSP), introducing a more flexible and nuanced approach to mitigating potential catastrophic risks associated with frontier AI systems. The revised policy maintains Anthropic's commitment to not train or deploy models without adequate safeguards while adapting to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Key improvements include new capability thresholds, refined processes for evaluating model capabilities and safeguard adequacy, and enhanced measures for internal governance and external input. AI Safety Level Standards: Anthropic's updated RSP incorporates graduated sets of safety and security measures that become more stringent...
read Oct 12, 2024OpenAI’s journey from nonprofit to $157B tech giant
OpenAI's Nonprofit Origins and Evolution: OpenAI, now valued at $157 billion, began as a nonprofit organization with ambitious goals to advance artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. In 2016, OpenAI applied for tax-exempt status as a charitable organization, emphasizing its commitment to advancing digital intelligence without the constraints of generating financial returns. The application revealed OpenAI's initial plans to focus on research, avoid commercial product development, and make its findings freely available to the public. Early research goals included training AI for games, developing housework robots, and advancing natural language processing. Shift in Strategy and Structure: Despite maintaining its...
read Oct 12, 2024The argument against unfettered AI development
The AI revolution's ethical dilemma: The rapid development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) by private companies raises significant questions about public consent and democratic oversight in technological innovation. The ambitious goals of AI companies: Major tech firms are actively working to create AGI, a form of artificial intelligence that could surpass human capabilities. OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has described their goal as building "magic intelligence in the sky," essentially aiming to create a godlike AI. Altman himself acknowledges that AGI could "break capitalism" and poses "probably the greatest threat to the continued existence of humanity." This push for AGI goes...
read Oct 11, 2024The argument for Donald Trump as the clear choice for AI policy
AI as a cornerstone of Trump's campaign strategy: Donald Trump's presidential campaign is emphasizing artificial intelligence (AI) solutions as a key component of his plan to address various national issues. Newsweek contributor John Evans outlines his reasons why Trump is the best choice for the future of AI policy. Trump's campaign highlights AI's potential to improve sectors such as education, healthcare, scientific research, manufacturing, and criminal justice reform. The campaign emphasizes Trump's previous efforts to reduce prison recidivism, including the signing of the First Step Act in 2018, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill. Trump's AI leadership during his presidency:...
read Oct 9, 2024How Domino Data Lab plans to eliminate AI governance concerns
AI governance emerges as critical focus: As artificial intelligence continues to rapidly advance and proliferate, the tech industry is shifting attention towards establishing robust governance frameworks to ensure responsible AI development and deployment. The growing emphasis on AI governance parallels early concerns around cloud computing security, with stakeholders now recognizing the need for guardrails and ethical guidelines. There is an increasing push to address issues like bias in AI models, compliance with regulations, and appropriate use cases across different industries and regions. Domino Data Lab introduces AI governance solution: The company has launched Domino Governance, a software platform designed to...
read Oct 9, 2024Democratization of AI, open-source and AI Auditing
The democratization of AI and risk mitigation: Balancing the aspiration for democratized AI with the need to mitigate risks involves careful consideration of accessibility, transparency, and responsible development practices. Open source AI models contribute to decentralizing power in AI development, enabling a wider range of voices to be heard and facilitating research on AI safety. However, open source models do not necessarily equate to broader accessibility, as running AI models still requires significant resources and technical understanding. Most people interact with AI through user-friendly interfaces like chatbots, which can also be used to create and distribute disinformation. Open source AI...
read Oct 7, 2024AI leadership gap threatens business competitiveness
The AI revolution and its implications: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various sectors of society, sparking both excitement and concern about its potential impact on the future. Businesses and individuals are captivated by the possibilities of generative AI, with Big Tech companies investing hundreds of billions of dollars in AI development. However, 56 percent of Fortune 500 companies view AI as a potential risk to their business models, highlighting the complex nature of this technological advancement. The AI revolution is expected to drive significant changes in healthcare, defense, transportation, finance, communications, food production, manufacturing, and knowledge-based industries. Rapid adoption...
read Oct 3, 2024Managing and working in an AI-driven economy
AI's impact on the global job market: The International Monetary Fund predicts that artificial intelligence will affect 40% of jobs worldwide, either by replacing human roles or complementing them, presenting both challenges and opportunities across various sectors. The potential disruption of AI is balanced by new opportunities emerging in fields such as STEM, healthcare, finance, entertainment, manufacturing, and energy. A key challenge lies in preparing workers for this rapidly evolving landscape through collaboration between governments, businesses, and educational institutions. The global skills crisis: Shea Gopaul, IOE Permanent Representative to the UN, highlights a worldwide "skills crisis" exacerbated by limited internet...
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