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has the House of Representatives Established a task force on artificial intelligence As Speaker Mike Johnson said, “This will ensure that the United States remains a leader in this strategic area.” But this announcement feels like a farce after years of indecision that shows no sign of ending.
In a way, the task force – chaired by California Representatives Ted Lieu and Jay Obernolte – is a welcome sign of Congress doing something on an important topic that has become the darling of tech investment. But in another, more important way, it comes across as lip service at a time when many feel that AI and technology are bypassing regulators and lawmakers.
Furthermore, the disappointing partisanship and obstructionism on display every day in Congress makes any notion that this task force will produce anything of value any time soon, especially during a historically divisive election year.
“As new innovations in AI emerge, our allies in Congress and the federal government must lead the way. “House Republicans and Democrats will work together to produce a comprehensive report detailing the regulatory standards and congressional actions needed to protect consumers and foster continued investment and innovation in AI,” Rep. Obernolte said in the announcement.
And Representative Liu: “AI has the potential to transform life as we know it. The question is how to ensure that AI benefits society rather than harming us. As a recovering computer science major, I know this won’t be easy or quick or a one-time task, but I believe Congress has an essential role to play in the future of AI. “I’m pleased to see so many members of Congress from all political persuasions agreeing.”
Of course, white House, multiple agencies, European Unionand countless others officers and organizations Already issuing “comprehensive reports” and recommending legislative actions, but what’s one more?
It’s as if Congress realized it was the last substantive entity to take action on this industry-rebuilding force, and so representatives took to the aisle to pat each other on the back for taking the smallest possible step toward future legislation. reached.
But at the same time, with Congressional inaction (passing a historically low number of bills) and all eyes on the 2024 presidential election, this task force is just a way to kick the can down the road until they figure out What they can achieve under the incoming administration.
Certainly studying AI and its risks and benefits isn’t a bad thing – but it’s a little late to announce it. This task force is long overdue, and as such we can welcome it but also treat it with the same skepticism that lawmakers deserve.
When asked why they haven’t acted on AI, everyone involved will point to it, leading many voters to fear it’s coming for their jobs or automated processes that once had a purposeful human touch. . “But we started this task force!” Yes, and the EU has their The task force has been working on this topic since the days of the pandemic.
The task force’s announcement fell short of expectations, with no timelines or deliverables that could deter voters or monitors. Even the report is something they will only “demand”!
Additionally, expert agencies are considering There is a danger of being declared illegal through the decision of the Supreme Court., it is difficult to even imagine what the regulatory framework will look like a year from now. Do you want help from the FTC, FCC, SEC, EPA or someone else? They may be judicially prevented from doing so until 2025.
Perhaps this task force is Congress’s admission that during such turbulent times, and with no real insight into an issue, all they can do is say “we’ll look into it.”
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