Artificial intelligence’s rapid evolution catches lawmakers’ attention as Congress seeks to create guardrails for the swiftly developing technology. Next month, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will host a group of technology industry leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai at an artificial intelligence forum, APA reports. Representatives from advocacy, civil rights, worker, and creative groups are also scheduled to attend.
Schumer is taking a deliberate approach to AI regulation, saying that senators must get up to speed on the technology before they rush to pass legislation. He’s convened several closed-door briefings to help that process along, and his September 13 AI Insight Forum will bring industry stakeholders together to find common ground on what needs to be done.
This first-of-its-kind forum will focus on the ramifications of AI. It’s expected to last two to three hours and will feature diverse tech leaders. The CEOs on the roster represent companies that have played a key role in shaping the future of AI, from its pervasiveness to its impact on society. It’s expected to be the first in a series of events that will take place over the year.
The meeting will explore strategies for responsible AI governance and oversight, as well as ways to prevent the misuse of the technology. AI can be used to enhance our lives, from enabling new medical treatments to helping us navigate complicated bureaucracies. But it’s also been pointed out that the technology could be used against us, whether to manipulate our elections or as a weaponized threat.
As such, the discussion will center around how to safeguard against harmful uses of the technology and what steps are needed to create a framework for regulation. The forum will also likely promote awareness and education about AI, ensuring that the public clearly understands its impact.
The gathering isn’t open to the public but will have far-reaching implications. Any policies developed from this meeting will shape how AI is regulated and governed for years. From preventing cyber attacks to boosting economic growth, AI is set to change how we live, work, and play. This is why it’s so important that we can find common ground on how best to harness the power of the technology. This is at stake as these visionary CEOs gather on Capitol Hill.