Fortune EOAI interview: Keeping track of AI regulation

Sage Lazzaro from Fortune’s Eye On AI interviewed me on keeping track of AI regulation! The article is here. Below are more insights from my interview, some of which appear in the article.

➤ What do I find most challenging in keeping track of AI regulation?

🌟Following regulatory developments around AI is challenging because of their quantity, the rapid pace of their introduction, and the skills needed to decipher their content and implications.

🌟Having said that, following developments in AI-specific laws, such as the EU AI Act or federal laws in the US, is somewhat easier because there are multiple trackers and newsletters that provide updates (Here's a list I made of free trackers).

🌟What I find most challenging is following the activities of enforcement agencies who apply non-AI specific laws to AI. Recent examples include the FTC's case against RiteAid and their investigation against OpenAI. These activities are very consequential to AI regulation, but they get much less attention so it can be challenging to even hear about them.

➤ My advice who want to ensure compliance in this rapidly evolving regulatory environment

My advice is to analyze trends in the regulatory efforts, rather than focusing solely on individual efforts. For example, last year I analyzed trends in US AI regulation efforts (available here). I found out, for example, that the sectors that get most attention are HR and the financial sector, especially insurance underwriting, and that fairness and data rights are two of the most prevalent themes. 

➤ Should regulators promote more comprehensive global AI regulations?

🔷Global regulations, on anything, are difficult to make and take especially long to go through. When it comes to AI, we cannot wait.

🔷Therefore, while it may be wise to work on global AI rules, it is crucial to work on adjusting and applying existing global norms to AI.

🔷 For example, AI use may result in violating human rights laws and treaties. Global leaders should spell out how and apply the existing enforcement mechanisms to AI-related violations.

➤ How can the rapid pace of AI advancement be reckoned with the slow pace of policy?

⭕ The pace of policymaking will never catch up to technology, especially technology that is developing as rapidly as AI.

⭕ Therefore, it is essential to utilize supplementary mechanisms.

⭕ For example, governments could incorporate AI responsibility issues into their procurement guidelines. These guidelines are easier to change and can have fantastic impact on the AI ecosystem by creating financial incentives for AI vendors. 

➤ An important and under-discussed topic: Enforcing existing laws on AI

🌀 When discussing regulatory constraints on AI, most focus on AI-specific laws, such as the EU AI Act.

🌀 Often, people forget about the applicability of general laws on AI, such as non-discrimination laws and consumer protection laws. While some new laws can be helpful, there is no need to re-invent the legal system.

🌀 In fact, pointing the finger at new laws can be an effective way to distract the public's attention from the fact that companies need to be held accountable to the laws that are already in place. More attention to enforcing existing, non-AI-specific laws on AI is a great, and probably faster, way to protect the public.

➤ Thank you, Sage, for a great article!

➤ What do other people thins? Join the conversation in the LinkedIn post!