America Must Address the Power of Artificial Intelligence, Says President Biden
President Joe Biden emphasized the need for the United States to take action regarding the power of artificial intelligence (AI) during his State of the Union address. He called for stronger privacy laws, penalties for drug traffickers, and measures to protect against AI-generated deepfakes. Biden cited an incident in which his voice was manipulated in a deepfake robocall that targeted voters in New Hampshire. The company responsible for the deepfake, Lingo Telecom, received a cease and desist order from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and AI was subsequently banned in robocalls for the upcoming 2024 election season.
Curbing AI-generated Deepfakes
The Biden Administration has been actively working to combat AI-generated deepfakes:
- Last year, they brought together leading generative AI developers to pledge responsible AI development.
- In February, they announced plans to use watermarking and cryptography to fight political disinformation.
- They also launched the AI Safety Institute Consortium, which includes participants such as Amazon, Google, Apple, Microsoft, OpenAI, and NVIDIA.
President Biden’s efforts align with those of his predecessor, Donald Trump, who has also voiced concerns about AI.
Concerns About AI
President Trump referred to AI as “so scary” in an interview with Fox Business. The issue gained further attention after deepfake images of Pope Francis, President Biden, and Trump were circulated. Even Pope Francis expressed his concerns about generative AI and emphasized the importance of managing its impact while safeguarding human rights and respecting institutions and laws.
The Way Forward
To address the power of AI, President Biden proposed the following actions:
- Strengthening Penalties on Fentanyl Trafficking: Biden aims to address the drug trafficking crisis by imposing stricter penalties specifically for fentanyl trafficking.
- Passing Bipartisan Privacy Legislation: The President advocates for the passing of privacy legislation that safeguards children online and protects their personal information.
- Harnessing the Promise of AI: While recognizing the potential of AI, Biden emphasizes the need to protect against its misuse. He calls for measures to prevent AI voice impersonation and ensure responsible development.
Hot Take: A Call for Action on AI
President Biden’s State of the Union address highlighted the urgent need to address the power and implications of artificial intelligence in the United States. By advocating for stronger privacy laws, penalties for drug traffickers, and safeguards against AI-generated deepfakes, Biden aims to protect citizens from misinformation and manipulation. His efforts to collaborate with leading AI developers and launch initiatives like the AI Safety Institute Consortium demonstrate a commitment to responsible AI development. However, concerns about AI are not limited to Biden alone, as both Donald Trump and Pope Francis have voiced their apprehensions. It is clear that addressing the challenges posed by AI requires collective action and a commitment to safeguarding human rights while harnessing its potential.
By
By
By
By