Establishing a U.S. Department of AI will allow regulators to oversee the type of data that is fed into AI solutions, examine the effects of AI on the workforce and closely monitor positive and negative use cases around the world.
Earlier this year, the U.S. passedOpens a new window 10 new principles to provide federal agencies with guidelines for monitoring AI applications in the private sector. Shortly thereafter, both GoogleOpens a new window and IBMOpens a new window made hard stances on AI policies and issued requests for more global collaboration on regulating the technology.
As conversations about AI regulation continue to unfold amongst both policymakers and business leaders, nation states need to create standards around how the technology should be used. As great as it would be to have a global AI standard, it’s not yet realistic given the various socioeconomic and political interests of each individual country, as well as the ongoing race for AI dominance. Rather than try to solve for AI regulation challenges on a global scale, industry stakeholders should first focus efforts nationally. For the U.S., the best way to do that would be to establish a Department of AI.
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Acting as a Securities and Exchange Commission for AI development and applications, the Department of AI would be responsible for overseeing the type of data that is fed into AI solutions. This would serve two goals: 1) protect consumer privacy and 2) mitigate AI bias and ensure ethical use of systems. To maintain consumer privacy, the Department of AI would ensure that the data feeding AI systems is not based on private citizen data. Instead, consumers would need to consent to data usage. The Department of AI could also mandate that all algorithms are non-discriminatory, which would involve not only monitoring the data feeding the AI, but also the individuals training it. This would help eliminate the creation of biased AI solutions (whether intentional or not).
Additionally, a Department of AI could more closely monitor the effects of AI on the workforce, leveraging information produced by the Department of Labor. Based on insight into AI ownership and usage, the Department of AI could make strides to democratize AI and automation across demographics—giving all citizens equal access to the technology no matter their age, educational level, or background. Many universitiesOpens a new window and schools have already begun holding courses specific to AI and automation, giving students a hands-on look at how the tools work and how they should be applied to business settings.
Similarly, many companies are offering AI and automation training programs, partnering with solution providers to empower workers to work as effectively as possible with new solutions. With the active support of government officials, these types of programs can become more widespread, enabling citizens to work effectively with—versus against—the technology
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Beyond that, the Department of AI would also be responsible for monitoring patterns of AI use on a global scale. The regulatory body could identify potentially dangerous applications of AI in other countries—such as weaponizing the technology or using it in a discriminatory manner—and work to prevent those from happening. They could also monitor for positive applications of AI—particularly any that address long-standing global issues, such as climate change—and determine how to replicate those in the U.S.
I believe that a Department of AI will come to fruition within the next few years given the growing need for policies geared towards AI. I’d also expect other countries to establish regulatory bodies focused on AI. Once that happens, we’ll be in a better place to collaborate across borders and monitor, control, and contain the impact of AI on a global scale.
The age of AI is upon us, and with every country advancing its AI tools, techniques and applications, it’s critical that policymakers focus on how the technology is managed and developed to ensure the safety and prosperity of their citizens. By creating regulatory bodies that do just that, countries can pave the way for global, AI-enabled prosperity.
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