President Joe Biden will convene a group of technology leaders in San Francisco to debate artificial intelligence
ByJosh Bock Associated Press
President Joe Biden waves as he leaves for California to board Air Force One, Monday, June 19, 2023, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Biden is ramping up his re-election effort this week with four fundraisers in the San Francisco area, as his campaign builds its coffers and lays a strategic foundation for 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The Associated Press
san francisco — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – President Joe Biden will convene a group of technology leaders Tuesday to debate artificial intelligence.
The Biden administration is trying to figure out how to regulate the emerging field of AI, seeking ways to nurture its potential for economic growth and national security, and guard against its potential threats. Biden plans to meet with eight experts from academia and advocacy groups.
The sudden emergence of AI chatbot ChatGPT and other tools has triggered investments in this area. AI tools are capable of producing human-like text, music, images and computer code. This form of automation may increase worker productivity, but experts warn of several pitfalls. Technology can be used to replace workers, which can lead to layoffs. Already being deployed in false images and videos, it has become a vehicle for misinformation that can undermine democratic elections.
In May, Biden’s administration brought tech CEOs together at the White House to discuss these issues, with the Democratic president telling them, “There is enormous potential and enormous danger in what you’re doing.”
According to the White House, the office of White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients is developing a set of actions to be taken by the federal government in the coming weeks regarding AI. Apart from the day-to-day work of the federal agencies, top officials are meeting two to three times every week on this issue. The administration is seeking commitments from private companies to address potential risks from AI.
Biden is meeting with Tristan Harris, executive director of the Center for Human Technology, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Tuesday; Jim Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media; and Joy Boolmwin, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, among others.
Biden is also in the San Francisco area to raise funds for his 2024 re-election campaign. He is planning to hold two foundation stone laying events on Tuesday after holding two on Monday. One of Biden’s Monday fundraisers was hosted by Kevin Scott, chief technology officer and executive vice president of AI at Microsoft.
