During a recent press dinner with the leaders of data-oriented companies, including Box, it was revealed that Box CEO Aaron Levie has a unique perspective on AI regulation. Levie expressed his desire for as little government intervention as possible when it comes to regulating AI. While acknowledging the need to address clear abuses of AI, such as deepfakes, Levie believes it is premature to impose strict regulations on companies. He cautioned against following Europe’s approach to AI regulation, citing it as a risky endeavor that stifles innovation rather than fostering it.
Levie’s views on AI regulation stand in stark contrast to the prevailing sentiment among Silicon Valley’s AI elites, who advocate for more stringent regulations on AI. While there is a general consensus within the tech industry that AI regulation is necessary, there is a lack of agreement on the specifics of what those regulations should entail. Levie highlighted the disunity among AI experts on how to effectively regulate AI, casting doubt on the feasibility of a comprehensive AI bill in the US.
Government Involvement in AI
At a panel discussion on AI innovation, prominent figures in the tech industry, such as Google’s Kent Walker and former US Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios, expressed their concerns about government overreach in regulating AI. They emphasized the need for the government to focus on preserving US leadership in the field of AI, rather than imposing burdensome regulations that could stifle innovation. Walker raised alarms about the proliferation of state-level AI legislation, pointing out the challenges of managing multiple disjointed laws on AI regulation.
Despite the ongoing debates and disagreements surrounding AI regulation, the US Congress has seen a flurry of AI-related bills being introduced. Representative Adam Schiff introduced the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act of 2024, which aims to require large language models to disclose detailed information about copyrighted works used in their training data set. The ambiguity surrounding what constitutes “sufficiently detailed” information raises questions about the practicality and effectiveness of such legislation. It remains to be seen how the US will navigate the complex landscape of AI regulation in the coming years.
The diverging views on AI regulation within the tech industry and the government underscore the challenges of finding a balanced approach to ensuring the ethical and responsible development of AI technologies. While some advocate for more stringent regulations to mitigate potential risks, others caution against stifling innovation through excessive government intervention. The evolving landscape of AI regulation in the US will continue to shape the future of AI development and deployment, with implications for society as a whole.