Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of everyday life, from screening job resumes to determining medical care. However, concerns have been raised about AI systems discriminating based on race, gender, or income, with little government oversight. In response to this issue, lawmakers in seven states are working on legislation to regulate bias in AI, filling a void left by Congress's inaction.
These proposals mark the beginning of a long discussion on balancing the benefits of AI with its risks. Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a Brown University professor, emphasized that AI affects every aspect of life, even if people are unaware of it. The success or failure of these legislative efforts will depend on lawmakers navigating complex problems while negotiating with the rapidly growing AI industry.
Last year, only a small number of AI-related bills were passed into law out of the hundreds introduced in state legislatures. These bills mainly aimed to regulate specific aspects of AI, such as deepfakes and chatbots. However, the focus is now shifting towards addressing AI discrimination, a pervasive and complex issue that affects various industries.
The use of AI in making important decisions, known as "automated decision tools," is widespread but often hidden from the public. Many Americans are unaware of the use of AI in hiring processes, for example, which can lead to biased outcomes. The lack of transparency and accountability in AI systems has led to instances of discrimination, such as in rental applications where Black or Hispanic individuals were unfairly denied.
To address these issues, proposed legislation would require companies to conduct impact assessments on their AI systems, detailing how decisions are made, the data used, and potential risks of discrimination. Companies would also have to inform customers when AI is used in decision-making and allow them to opt out in certain cases. While some tech companies support these measures, the road to passing comprehensive AI regulation has been challenging, with several bills failing to advance in state legislatures.
Despite the obstacles, lawmakers and industry stakeholders are working towards establishing safeguards against AI discrimination and ensuring greater transparency in the use of these technologies. The ongoing debate over AI regulation reflects the growing awareness of the need to address bias and discrimination in artificial intelligence.
themes: AI (Artificial intelligence)
