US Leads Crucial AI Safety Talks as Trump Vows to Dismantle Biden’s Strategy

Donald Trump, the president-elect, has pledged to dismantle President Joe Biden’s key artificial intelligence policy if he reclaims the White House for a second term.

By Sheenu Gupta On Nov 21, 2024 Share with new partner:

President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that, should he return to the White House for a second term, he intends to repeal President Joe Biden’s landmark artificial intelligence (AI) policy. However, the true implications of this promise for the future development and regulation of AI technology remain uncertain.

In the midst of this political uncertainty, government scientists and AI experts from around the world are seeking greater clarity on the direction of AI policy. This week, they are gathering in San Francisco, a global hub for AI innovation, to discuss safety measures for the rapidly evolving technology. The meeting, hosted by the Biden administration, is a crucial moment for international collaboration on AI safety, drawing officials from key U.S. allies, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Kenya, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

The summit’s discussions are focused on urgent concerns, such as the growing issue of AI-generated deepfakes. These manipulated videos and images are increasingly being used for fraudulent purposes, impersonating individuals, and even spreading harmful content, including instances of sexual abuse. Addressing these challenges is one of the core agenda items, with officials looking for solutions to better detect and combat the misuse of AI technologies.

This meeting marks the first of its kind since world leaders gathered at an AI summit in South Korea earlier this year. At that event, they agreed to establish a global network of publicly supported safety institutes, aimed at advancing AI research and ensuring robust testing of these technologies.

During the opening of the San Francisco meeting, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the responsibility that comes with developing AI. She spoke directly to the gathered officials, researchers, and private-sector leaders, reminding them, “We have a choice. We are the ones developing this technology. You are the ones developing this technology. We can decide what it looks like.”

Raimondo, like other speakers, acknowledged both the tremendous opportunities AI presents and the significant risks it poses. She specifically referenced the frightening prospect of AI advancements leading to “human extinction,” prompting the question, “Why would we allow that?” Her comments underscored the need for careful consideration and collaboration as the global community continues to navigate the complex landscape of AI development and its potential consequences.

During the AI safety summit in San Francisco, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo raised pressing concerns about the potential dangers of AI. She questioned why society would allow AI to replace humans, lead to widespread unemployment, and disrupt global security. She warned against letting ambition blind policymakers to these risks, urging them to remain vigilant and prevent such negative outcomes. “We shouldn’t,” she asserted. “In fact, I would argue we have an obligation to keep our eyes wide open to those risks and prevent them from happening.” She emphasized the need to avoid “sleepwalking into our own undoing” as AI technology continues to evolve.

Hong Yuen Poon, Deputy Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information, stressed the importance of international cooperation for AI safety, particularly with developing countries that may lack the resources to study AI risks.

Last year, President Biden signed an executive order aimed at regulating AI, and this year, his administration established the AI Safety Institute at the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Meanwhile, Trump, in his presidential campaign, vowed to repeal Biden’s executive order, claiming it hinders innovation and pushes radical ideas on AI development. However, he has not clarified which aspects of the order he opposes or what actions he would take regarding the AI Safety Institute. His transition team did not respond to requests for comment.

Addressing concerns that AI regulation could stifle innovation, Raimondo clarified that the AI Safety Institute is not a regulatory body. She emphasized that safety measures are essential for fostering innovation, as trust in the technology encourages its adoption, which in turn drives further advancements.

The tech industry, including major companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, has largely supported the Biden administration’s AI safety approach, which focuses on voluntary standards. Industry groups are advocating for Congress to preserve the new institute and codify its work into law.

Despite political shifts, many experts believe that the technical work at the AI Safety Institute, currently being conducted in San Francisco, will continue regardless of who holds office. “There’s no reason to believe that we’ll be doing a 180 when it comes to the work of the AI Safety Institute,” said Heather West, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, pointing out that much of the work already aligns across political lines.

During his four years as president, Donald Trump didn’t focus much on AI, though in 2019, he became the first president to sign an executive order aimed at AI. The order directed federal agencies to prioritize research and development in the field. Prior to that, tech experts had been urging the Trump administration to develop a more comprehensive AI strategy to keep up with other nations. In the final weeks of his presidency, Trump signed another executive order promoting the use of “trustworthy” AI within the federal government, and these policies continued under President Biden.

However, things have changed significantly since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, which sparked public fascination and concern over generative AI, contributing to a surge in AI-driven businesses. A new development is that Elon Musk, a tech mogul and adviser to Trump, has been appointed to lead a government cost-cutting commission. Musk has been outspoken about the risks of AI and has publicly feuded with some AI industry leaders, particularly OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, which he has even sued.

Despite the political changes, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and other officials emphasized that AI safety should not be a partisan issue. “And by the way, this room is bigger than politics. Politics is on everybody’s mind, but I don’t want to talk about politics,” Raimondo stated. “I don’t care what political party you’re in, this is not in the interest of Republicans or Democrats. It’s not in anyone’s interest, anywhere in the world, in any political party, for AI to be dangerous or for it to fall into the hands of malicious actors who want to cause destruction and chaos.”