AI Roundup
DDC Public Affairs
Impacting policy, winning campaigns and effecting change in the political landscape on a local, national, & global level
2024 will be the year of AI regulation. At the end of 2023, the European Union passed the AI Act, the world's first comprehensive AI law. In 2024, the rest of the world, including the US, China, and Africa, are expected to take significant steps to develop their regulatory frameworks. At the same time, while governments have aimed to make the tech industry more competitive and lower the entry barrier for smaller companies, experts argue that these regulations are having the opposite effect. Additionally, as these technologies continue to develop, their influence will become more prominent throughout a range of industries and even the electoral processes. It will be essential for companies and policymakers alike to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in AI to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven world.
In 2023, we saw countless developments in the AI regulatory frameworks across the globe. The European Union made a significant move by agreeing on the AI Act, which is the world's first comprehensive AI law. The US, on the other hand, adopted a different approach to AI policy, focusing on best practices and regulating each sector differently, as reflected in President Biden's executive order on AI and the creation of the US AI Safety Institute. Despite these differences, Technology Review believes 2024 will be a transformational year for AI regulation. The upcoming US presidential election is expected to heavily influence the discourse on AI, while on the other side of the globe, China's AI regulation remains fragmented with plans underway to introduce a more comprehensive law. Africa will also be a region of great focus this year as the African Union continues to take important steps to streamline a regulatory framework.??
As the world continues to develop regulatory frameworks for AI technologies, concern has been raised to ensure fair competition in the industry and avoid the creation of monopolies. However, according to Bhaskar Chakravorti from Foreign Policy, the frameworks being discussed may have the opposite effect. The industry is already predisposed to concentration due to factors like private sector dominance in AI development, limited access to crucial resources for smaller firms, and the significant role of a handful of tech giants in investing in AI startups. Regulatory measures such as inconsistent rules and red-teaming requirements may further disadvantage smaller companies and favor larger ones. To mitigate these effects, they recommend policymakers promote competition, leverage open-source AI models, encourage differentiation in applications and services, and engage in proactive negotiations with large AI firms.?
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As the 2024 US election cycle begins, states are turning their attention toward deepfakes and misinformation. Legislators from both major political parties have introduced bills in at least 14 states to combat these issues. Proposed legislation falls into two categories: disclosure requirements and bans. Disclosure requirements mandate a disclaimer on media created with AI meant to influence an election within a specific time frame. Bans, with certain exceptions, prohibit the dissemination of such media. We can expect the election to have a major influence in the conversation around AI regulation.?
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Apart from the 2024 election, there are several AI trends worth following this year. AI will continue to transform various sectors like healthcare, finance, and transportation. AI's role in healthcare is predicted to grow, particularly in disease prediction and patient care management. In finance, AI could streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences. As for transportation, autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure are expected to be more prevalent. Another trend to watch is the rise of AI ethics. As AI becomes more integrated into society, important discussions about AI fairness, privacy, and security are anticipated to intensify. 2024 is set to be a pivotal year for AI, with significant advancements expected across multiple sectors, alongside crucial ethical and legislative developments.?
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