AI Bill Be a Blueprint for Future AI Regulation or Not?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly permeating our personal and professional lives; it is no longer theoretical or futuristic. The advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) are many and constantly expanding, ranging from expediting daily chores to enhancing the pace of medical treatment to revolutionizing the effectiveness of legal processes.??

Though AI is quickly opening up many benefits for individuals and companies, robust technology without bounds can also be harmful, and AI is no different. Potential ethical and legal hazards, such as data privacy difficulties, the replication or amplification of prejudice and discrimination, and ubiquitous activity monitoring, are emerging alongside the promise of artificial intelligence.?

In light of all of this, the US has developed an artificial intelligence bill of rights that acts as a framework for addressing the benefits and concerns associated with AI.?

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released Making Automated Systems Work for the American People: A Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights in October 2022. This paper, often called the “AI Bill of Rights” or the “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights,” lays forth guidelines for the ethical development and use of AI systems. It seeks to act as a manual to shield humans from the possible dangers posed by artificial intelligence.?

But what is in the AI Bill of Rights, and what does it represent for our society and the future of AI? This article will discuss the main ideas of the AI Bill of Rights and make some observations on how AI policy is developing.?

What Is A Bill of Rights for AI?

According to the OSTP, the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights includes five fundamental ideas and related practices that “should guide the design, use, and deployment of automated systems to protect the American public in the age of artificial intelligence.”

These fundamental ideas provide direction (together with corresponding actions and illustrations of how to translate the safeguards from concept into policy and practice) to improve the safety, equity, and transparency of AI systems for users.?

The structure of the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights applies to systems that are:

• Automated.
• It may significantly affect the American public’s rights, prospects, or access to essential resources or services.?

The AI Bill of Rights, which centers on individuals and their human and civil rights regarding AI, was developed in reaction to American experiences. A wide range of people, including activists, journalists, technologists, scholars, and officials, contributed their views to the recommendations.?

The ideas presented in the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights provide a framework for the responsible use of AI. They may shed light on the possible future course of AI legislation in the US, even if they are presently just recommendations rather than laws.

Fundamental Principles of the AI Bill of Rights?

The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights proposes five principles (as well as related practices) for using AI systems to help reduce risk and damage to the public.

When taken as a whole, the guidelines seek to improve AI systems in the following domains:

• Openness and comprehensibility.
• Responsibility and accountability.
• Impartiality and absence of prejudice.

The AI Bill of Rights' five guiding concepts are as follows:

1. Safe and Effective Systems?

"You ought to be shielded from harmful or inefficient systems."

According to the Safe and Effective Systems concept, people should be protected against harmful or ineffective automated systems.

According to the Blueprint, the following actions may be taken to adhere to this principle:

Collaborating with stakeholders, representatives of various groups, and subject matter experts to pinpoint any issues, dangers, and effects.

• Testing before deployment.
• Continuous observation.

1. Discrimination Using Algorithms

"Systems should be used and designed fairly; algorithms shouldn't discriminate against you."

According to the Algorithmic Discrimination Protections concept, AI systems need to be created to prevent algorithmic discrimination, which occurs when biased training data leads to automated systems that unjustly treat certain individuals differently or unfairly.

Algorithmic discrimination, for instance, is shown when an AI system that assists in identifying which medical patients would need further care hires an algorithm based on a characteristic that is connected with race, as this research discovered to be the case.?

The Blueprint recommends that the following proactive measures, which put people's civil rights and equality first, may be used to uphold this principle:

• We are incorporating equity assessments into the system's architecture.

• Use data that is representative.
• It is safeguarding against demographic characteristic proxies.
• We are guaranteeing accessibility for those with impairments.
• Testing and mitigating disparities.
• Supervision inside the organization.

1. Privacy of data

"You should have agency over how data about you is used and be protected from abusive data practices through built-in protections."

According to the Data Privacy Principle, people’s data privacy should be respected and safeguarded. AI systems should be built with data privacy protections by default and safeguards against abusive data practices, in addition to obtaining user permission for data collection and usage.?

According to the Blueprint, the following actions may be taken to implement this principle:

• We are putting procedures in place to guarantee that data gathering meets reasonable expectations.
• It is gathering just the information required in the particular context of the system.
• It is obtaining consent from users before collecting, using, transferring, deleting, and otherwise using their data in ways that are acceptable.
• When required, use other privacy-by-design measures.
• They ensure that users have agency and that permission forms for data gathering are brief and straightforward to comprehend.
• We are implementing more robust safeguards and limitations for information and conclusions relating to sensitive areas and information about minors.
• Ensuring that surveillance technologies have more accountability and that individuals and their communities are not subjected to unrestricted observation.
• Avoid using constant monitoring and surveillance in situations where doing so might restrict someone's access, opportunities, or rights.
• He is granting access to reports attesting to the observance of data choices wherever feasible.

1. Notification and Clarification

"You should be aware that an automated system is in use and comprehend how and why it affects results that directly affect you."

According to the Notice and Explanation concept, automated and artificial intelligence (AI) systems must provide timely, easy-to-understand notice of usage and explanations in a clear, accessible manner.?

According to the Blueprint, the following tactics may be used to adhere to this principle:

• It supplies easily readable documentation that describes the system in simple terms (including how it operates and how any automated component is utilized for actions or decision-making).
• They ensure that notifications are updated and that those affected by the system are informed when the functionality or use case changes.
• It clearly outlined the factors that led to and affected a decision's making.
• We are taking action to guarantee accountability and openness.

1. Human Alternatives, Consideration, and Fallback

"Where appropriate, you should be able to opt-out, and you should have access to someone who can promptly assess and address any issues you run into."

Lastly, where appropriate (based on realistic expectations for the specific situation), users should have the choice to opt out of an automated option and switch to a human alternative, according to the concept of Human Alternatives, Consideration, and Fallback. The AI Bill of Rights states that there could be circumstances in which a human or an alternative is mandated by law.?

According to the Blueprint, actions like the following may be taken to adhere to this broad principle:

• We are putting accessibility first and shielding individuals from adverse effects.
• Giving users prompt access to human attention and assistance if an automated system malfunctions, makes a mistake, or chooses to challenge or appeal the system's effects on them.

Suggestions for Enacting and Implementing an AI Bill of Rights

Enforcing the Blueprint of an AI Bill of Rights may be difficult, even if it offers a guide for the appropriate use of AI and automated systems in the US.?

In particular, the AI Bill of Rights is now legally binding or enforceable by law since it is just a framework and now genuine legislation. It thus provides ethical guidelines for people creating and implementing AI tools and systems, but there are no legal consequences for not adhering to this guidance.?

Although there isn’t yet federal legislation in the US that forbids the use of AI or shields individuals from its use, several state-level laws and efforts are in place, in addition to extra federal recommendations.?

President Biden, for instance, issued the Executive Order in October 2023 about the Safe, Secure, and Reputable Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence on a federal level. As we go into more depth in our blog article, the AI Executive Order is designed to shield Americans from many of the possible threats associated with AI systems. It mandates a number of steps, such as the following.?

In the event that safety test findings indicate that an AI system may be dangerous to national security, AI developers are required to notify the US government.?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology will provide recommendations for the development of standards, instruments, and testing to help guarantee the security, safety, and dependability of AI systems.?

Standards and best practices will be established to identify artificial intelligence (AI)- generated material, verify official or “real” content, and shield Americans against AI-facilitated fraud.?

Advanced cybersecurity initiatives will be created to create AI tools capable of identifying and repairing software problems.?

Furthermore, fulfilling the AI Executive Order, Vice President Harris said on March 28, 2024, that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be releasing the first strategy for the whole government to reduce the dangers associated with AI and maximize its advantages.?

Additionally, many states are proactively pursuing laws pertaining to artificial intelligence. An increasing number of US states have passed legislation and launched programs to deal with certain AI-related concerns.

State-level AI legislation and regulations include, for instance:

Colorado has passed legislation limiting insurance companies' use of AI-powered prediction models and big data in an attempt to shield customers from unjust discrimination.

A measure in California prohibits the use of chatbots that seem to be human when communicating with customers to attempt to sell products or services or sway votes without providing full transparency.

The Illinois Act sets out precise guidelines for the use of AI in the employment process.

Effects on People and Society

Why is it essential for AI rules such as the AI Bill of Rights?

Artificial intelligence is already quite potent and will only become more so in the future. Though AI systems have many great applications for humans, they may also negatively affect people and society, mainly when created without rules or regulations.?

In light of this, it's critical that individuals and authorities take ethics into account while developing AI. Among them are:

Fairness, Prejudice, and Discrimination: AI systems trained on biased data may reproduce and even amplify unfair bias and discrimination.?

Protection of Personal Information and Privacy: AI models are developed utilizing vast volumes of data, some of which may include personal information. As AI technology develops, growing issues over the collection, usage, and storage of data may arise.

True and False Information: It may be challenging to determine if artificial intelligence (AI) outputs are reliable or accurate when depending on algorithms to make judgments or source data.?

Responsibility: Who is responsible when an AI mistake happens, particularly if it hurts or negatively affects people?

Future Legal Concerns and Regulations Around AI

The fast advancement of AI technology is mirrored in the rapid unfolding and evolution of AI regulation.

As we've said, laws and policies such as the AI Executive Order, the AI Bill of Rights, and other state and municipal laws reduce the hazards associated with AI and direct its proper use in the US. Furthermore, the introduction of new regulations, like the government-wide policy recently announced by the OMB, indicates that more AI projects and regulations are probably in the works.

In a similar vein, other governments globally are formulating plans for managing, investigating, and overseeing AI applications. Among the instances are:

European Union?

For instance, the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), which takes a risk-based approach to evaluating guidelines for AI systems based on danger to elements like people's health, safety, and rights, was enacted by EU lawmakers on March 13, 2024. Using this method, AI applications are categorized into four categories based on risk and requirements: "minimal risk," "limited risk," "high risk," and "unacceptable risk" (which is prohibited).

China

Additionally, China has published legislation that provides guidelines for creating generative AI systems. The Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services, issued by the Cybersecurity Administration of China (CAC) and government authorities, were finalized in July 2023.

Conclusion on a Bill of Rights for AI

Artificial intelligence presents a mixed bag of possible advantages and, regrettably, potential hazards as technology permeates more and more facets of everyday life.

The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights aims to safeguard individuals and their rights by offering thorough rules for the ethical development and use of AI systems in the US. This framework is not legally obligatory, but it provides the groundwork for creating ethical and responsible AI systems both now and in the future. This is important since AI tools and systems are rapidly becoming indispensable in a wide range of sectors.

For instance, attorneys' moral use of AI is quickly changing the way legal professionals operate in the legal sector.

An example of that? Our proprietary AI technology and the platform-wide principle of safeguarding privileged legal communication and sensitive legal data while upholding the strictest security, compliance, and privacy standards across the entire operating system will serve as the cornerstones of our upcoming AI functionality.