We need better leaders

I usually do not cover political topics or make political statements but I feel compelled to publish this one. The rise of artificial intelligence is a serious topic for not only the tech industry but the world at large. Its impact will be felt everywhere, from jobs to the broader economy to future military applications.

It is critical that AI use be simultaneously cultivated and regulated. The challenge for legislators and regulators globally is striking the right balance between protection from potential risks and the hindrance of innovation and development.

As we saw with protecting consumer data online, the European Union is leading. They were first with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and now they are taking the lead again with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.  The law applies three risk categories to AI, unacceptable risk, high-risk, and unregulated. 

Meanwhile in the U.S., Vice President Kamala Harris has been given the task of AI leader in this administration. Here’s our AI leader, VP Harris, speaking at an event this week,

“Kind of a fancy thing.” (Source) She added: “First of all, it’s two letters.” Then she gesticulated while saying things about machine learning and automation, adding “what then will be produced in terms of decisions and opinions that may be made.”

The stakes are too high. This level of insight is simply unacceptable. We must do better.

In the U.S., AI regulatory efforts are underway at agencies such as NIST, FDA, NHTSA, CPSC, SEC, FTC, EEOC, CFPB, and the DOJ. Meanwhile in the Congress, they have yet to decide on much at all, let alone a comprehensive solution.

By contrast, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is very knowledgeable on AI. He has urged his country to seize various, specific opportunities to advance industry. He also said China had to build a “holistic, advanced, and harm-free” modern industrial system. (Source) Other officials in the government of China have also shouldered the load in driving AI into industry and other areas.

We have a presidential election coming up. We have an octogenarian president in decline, insisting on running for re-election. Our vice president has shown time and again that she is unwilling to dig into and become an expert on important issues. Instead, she relies on jargon and partisan talking points that too often end up as word salad.

Our country deserves better and needs more from its leaders. These are serious times that call for serious leaders. If we continue down this path, the United States is going to miss the AI opportunity and fall behind China and others.

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