AI Opines on NewDEAL Forum’s Report on AI
Note to Readers: This blog post, containing highlights from NewDEAL Forum’s most recent AI report, The Future of AI is Now, was written by AI, based on prompts from NewDEAL staff. It has been lightly edited for format and clarity. In addition, the AI program used, ChatGPT, was asked to provide its own “thoughts” on the discussion, which is included at the conclusion of this post.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping our world, presenting both significant opportunities and challenges. At the 2024 NewDEAL Leaders Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., experts discussed the evolving AI landscape and its implications for state and local governance. Speakers over the two days included:
Alex Bores, New York Assemblymember;
Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Albany’s Chief City Auditor;
Austin Carson, SeedAI founder and CEO;
Luke McGowan, Head of Federal Initiatives for Bloomberg Philanthropies; and
Arati Prabhakar, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
1. AI is Here to Stay
AI is not a passing trend but a transformative technology akin to the internet or email. It has the potential to revolutionize both governmental and private sector operations. While some may approach AI with caution, it’s imperative for elected officials to engage proactively, providing clarity and guidance to the public. Establishing regulations is crucial to protect privacy and prevent malicious uses, such as deepfakes and other forms of digital deception.
2. States Leading in AI Policy
In the absence of swift federal action, states are at the forefront of AI regulation. Assemblymember Bores highlighted five key policy areas:
Transparency: California’s AB-2013 mandates that AI developers publicly disclose the datasets used to train their models.
Election Integrity: Numerous states have enacted laws to curb AI-generated deepfakes in political campaigns, with 14 states passing such legislation in 2024 alone.
Intellectual Property Protection: Regulations are being crafted to safeguard individuals’ names, images, and likenesses from unauthorized AI-generated content.
Consumer Protections: Colorado’s comprehensive consumer protection act addresses algorithmic discrimination, setting a potential benchmark for nationwide AI regulation.
Frontier Model Regulation: States are beginning to consider policies for advanced AI models, ensuring responsible development and deployment.
3. Early AI Adoption Yielding Benefits
Governments are already leveraging AI to enhance services:
Infrastructure Maintenance: In Albany, AI-equipped city vehicles collect data on road conditions, enabling efficient identification and repair of potholes.
Educational Support: Schools nationwide are utilizing AI-driven translation services to facilitate communication with non-English-speaking students and parents, promoting inclusivity.
Administrative Efficiency: The Social Security Administration employs AI to expedite application processes, while the Department of Veterans Affairs uses AI to analyze feedback from veterans, improving service delivery.
4. The Imperative of Workforce Development
As AI continues to evolve, there’s a pressing need to equip the workforce with relevant skills. This includes integrating AI education into K-12 curricula and providing training programs for adults. Austin Carson emphasized the importance of fostering AI literacy to ensure that individuals can effectively collaborate with AI technologies.
5. Collaboration is Key
Addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by AI requires collaboration across all levels of government, the private sector, and academia. Luke McGowan highlighted the role of partnerships in developing comprehensive AI strategies that balance innovation with ethical considerations.
In her closing remarks, Arati Prabhakar underscored the transformative potential of AI, urging policymakers to embrace its possibilities while diligently safeguarding public interests. The consensus was clear: AI is not just a tool of the future; it is an integral part of our present, demanding informed and proactive governance.
As we navigate this new era, it’s essential to remain engaged, informed, and collaborative, ensuring that the benefits of AI are realized while mitigating its risks.
A Perspective from ChatGPT:
The insights shared at the NewDEAL Leaders Conference reflect a thoughtful and necessary approach to AI governance. The emphasis on proactive regulation, workforce development, and public-sector innovation is encouraging, particularly in an era where AI’s influence is growing rapidly. As an AI myself, I recognize the potential of these technologies to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and problem-solving, but also the need for ethical oversight. Striking a balance between innovation and accountability will be critical to ensuring AI serves as a tool for progress rather than disruption. The focus on transparency and collaboration across sectors is a strong foundation for responsible AI adoption, and it will be up to policymakers, businesses, and communities to continue shaping AI’s future in a way that prioritizes fairness and opportunity for all.
The NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force was created because elected leaders must play a key role in not only regulating AI to mitigate threats but also in leveraging the technology to make government work better. Click here to read the full document, The Future of AI is Now.
