New technologies and innovations have revolutionized society since prehistoric times, from the wheel and writing to gunpowder, the printing press, human flight, etc.—the list goes on and on. But that technologically driven societal change does not happen in a vacuum, especially in modern times.
Source: coffeekai / iStock / Getty images
Regulating Technology
When new technologies touch the fundamentals of our way of life, governments, more often than not, step in to impose rules and regulations on how, when, and by whom such technologies can be used. For example, think about how quickly state, local, and federal governments reacted to the emergence and increased availability of commercial drones.
You can be sure that governments will take an even greater notice of something as significant as artificial intelligence (AI). And as debates and conversations continue to develop over the proper regulation and oversight of AI, the role of business interests in those discussions will be a major concern for many observers. Case in point: Facebook’s entry into the AI fray.
Facebook and AI
Consider this introduction to Sam Biddle’s recent article in the Intercept titled “Should We Trust Artificial Intelligence Regulation by Congress If Facebook Supports It?”:
TRY TO IMAGINE for a moment a declaration from Congress to the effect that safeguarding the environment is important, that the effects of pollution on the environment ought to be monitored, and that special care should be taken to protect particularly vulnerable and marginalized communities from toxic waste. So far, so good! Now imagine this resolution is enthusiastically endorsed by ExxonMobil and the American Coal Council. You would have good reason to be suspicious. Keep that in mind while you consider the newly announced House Resolution 153.
Biddle’s article goes into great detail and provides a lot of background for those interested in following this resolution and the AI debate in general.
But suffice it to say that his primary point is that we should be wary of an action by Congress that is supported by some of the most likely potential bad actors in AI’s future, though it may appear to be intended to protect the public from powerful actors who might abuse AI at the public’s expense.