“Trump’s AI Strategy: A Jovial Joust Against ‘Bias’ and Regulation”
“Trump’s AI Action Plan Is a Crusade Against ‘Bias’—and Regulation”
“Donald Trump’s Executive Order directing federal agencies to prioritize and promote artificial intelligence research was hailed by technologists who warn the US is losing ground to China. But the plan is also notable for what it avoids: regulatory oversight of AI’s impact on jobs and privacy, and any mention of the technology’s potential downsides — like turning us all into unwitting puppets of intrusive ads and hyper-tailored political manipulation.”
In a whirlwind switch of priorities, technologists have welcomed with open arms an Executive Order by Donald Trump. The directive? Get federal agencies to shift into fifth gear and make artificial intelligence (AI) research the heart of their operations. One can’t help but notice the glaring effort to keep ahead of China, which apparently seems like the cool kid on the block when it comes to tech prowess.
However, this grand plan doesn’t come without its fair share of loopholes. There’s an air of nonchalance regarding the impact of AI on jobs and privacy. Apparently, discussing potential AI downsides is equivalent to discussing the weather – irrelevant and bothersome. After all, who cares about job losses, invasions of privacy, and the creation of an army of unsuspecting marionettes, ensnared by the allure of personalized ads and hyper-customized political manipulations?
The sudden keen interest in AI research without the slightest inclination towards bracketing its undesirable outcomes gives an impression akin to handing over the keys to a new Ferrari to a teenager. Amidst all the glory and excitement, one can’t help but wonder if there’s a plan for the impending crash. Surely, AI and its associated technologies deserve to be given due regard in their positive aspects, but completely sidelining the potential implications on the job market and personal privacy is akin to being oblivious of that Ferrari’s speedometer.
To top it all, there doesn’t seem to be any conversation around the seemingly infinite power of AI to tailor political campaigns. And why should there be? Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with political campaigns that know a little too much about voters’ every preference, right? After all, what’s a democracy without some highly sophisticated, hyper-personalized manipulation?
All sarcasm notwithstanding, an earnest plea to policymakers – let’s give AI the recognition it deserves and also pay heed to its potential pitfalls. Ignoring potential issues won’t make them disappear. On the contrary, the ghost of unchecked AI can come back to haunt, turning the seemingly well-meaning directive into a nightmare.