Congress Debates AI Legislation

A bill titled "Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 3369) has been introduced. The act seeks to impose transparency and accountability standards on AI systems, particularly those utilized by the federal government.

The act proposes a risk-based approach to the regulation of AI, similar to that proposed in the EU AI Act. It also plans to establish a Federal Advisory Committee on AI to inform lawmakers about advancements and challenges in AI. However, the act has sparked considerable debate among lawmakers, with some arguing that the regulations could hinder innovation in the field.

UK AI Council Advises Government on AI Regulation The UK AI Council has submitted recommendations to the government on the regulation of AI. The council advises a 'light-touch' regulatory approach to foster innovation, alongside sector-specific regulation where necessary. The council's recommendations include adopting the proposed EU AI Act's categorization of AI systems into 'low risk', 'limited risk', 'high risk', and 'unacceptable risk'. It also suggests the establishment of an independent regulatory body to oversee AI in the UK.

China Develops New AI Governance Framework: The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) has published a new AI governance framework, aimed at enhancing transparency, fairness, and safety in AI systems. The framework introduces three categories of AI risks: 'general risks', 'high risks', and 'extreme risks', which are based on the degree of potential harm that AI systems could cause. It also outlines measures for mitigating these risks, which include the use of technical standards, audits, and regulatory oversight. The framework is seen as part of China's broader efforts to set global standards in AI.

AI Alliance Calls for Global AI Treaty: The AI Alliance, a group of AI researchers and technologists, has called for the creation of a global AI treaty. The treaty would aim to create international standards and regulations for AI, to prevent harms and abuses from AI technology. The group argues that current AI regulations are fragmented and inconsistent, leading to a lack of clarity and potential for exploitation. The call for a global treaty has been supported by a number of prominent figures in the AI community, but it remains to be seen whether such a treaty will be realized.