President-elect Donald Trump has stated his intention to repeal President Joe Biden's key artificial intelligence policy upon his return to the White House for a second term. The implications of this decision on the future of AI technology are uncertain, leaving government scientists and AI experts from various countries seeking clarity. This week, officials from the U.S. and its allies, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Kenya, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, are convening in San Francisco to discuss AI safety measures.
The agenda of the meeting focuses on addressing challenges such as detecting and combating AI-generated deepfakes that contribute to fraud, harmful impersonation, and sexual abuse. This gathering follows the agreement reached at an AI summit in South Korea earlier this year, where world leaders committed to establishing a network of publicly supported safety institutes to advance AI research and testing.
During the meeting, Hong Yuen Poon, deputy secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information, emphasized the importance of collaboration among countries, particularly with developing nations that may lack resources for AI research. President Biden had previously signed a comprehensive AI executive order and established the AI Safety Institute at the National Institute for Standards and Technology under the Commerce Department.
While Trump has pledged to repeal Biden's executive order on AI, he has not specified the aspects he opposes or his plans for the AI Safety Institute. Tech industry groups, supported by major companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, have expressed satisfaction with the voluntary standards approach adopted by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo under the Biden administration.
Experts anticipate that the technical work being conducted at the AI Safety Institute in San Francisco will continue regardless of the political landscape. Despite differing rhetoric, there has been continuity in AI policy between the Trump and Biden administrations. Trump's limited focus on AI during his presidency shifted in 2019 when he signed the first executive order on AI, directing federal agencies to prioritize research and development in the field.
Before the emergence of ChatGPT in 2022, which garnered public interest and concern about generative AI, the Trump administration was urged by tech experts to enhance its AI strategy to align with global efforts. The policies initiated during Trump's tenure carried over into the Biden administration, setting the stage for ongoing advancements in AI technology.
Notably, Elon Musk, a prominent tech figure and Trump adviser, has been appointed to lead a government cost-cutting commission. Musk's strong views on AI risks and his disputes with certain AI industry leaders, including OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, add a unique dimension to the evolving landscape of AI regulation and innovation.
