Biden Administration Pushes Tech Industry to Disrupt Growing Market

The Biden administration is pushing the tech industry to disrupt the growing market for tools, services and digital infrastructure that aids in the spread of disinformation and propaganda aimed at the United States. The White House is calling on AI companies, cloud services, and internet providers to stop providing services to hostile actors like Russia and others seeking to undermine democracy. The administration wants tech companies to take a harder line on their customers’ potentially malicious use of AI, cloud services, and internet infrastructure. This push comes as the U.S. aims to counter Russia’s disinformation campaigns and other influence operations. The White House is urging tech companies to be more vigilant about how their tools are being leveraged by adversaries to sow discord and undermine democracy. The administration is also seeking to disrupt the business models of firms that knowingly assist hostile actors in conducting influence operations.

2024-05-23

Biden campaign agrees to pay $106K for violating NH robocall laws

The Biden presidential campaign has agreed to pay $106,000 to settle a complaint alleging violations of New Hampshire’s robocall laws during the 2020 election. The complaint alleged that the campaign placed automated calls to New Hampshire residents without obtaining required approval. The settlement was announced by the New Hampshire Department of Justice. The campaign agreed to pay $106,000 in civil penalties and professional fees. The campaign acknowledged that the violations stemmed from robocalls made without first obtaining the required approval from the Department of Safety. The settlement resolves the complaint, which was filed by the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau in November 2022. The bureau alleged that the campaign failed to get prior approval for the robocalls, which were made to New Hampshire residents in the final days of the 2020 election.

2024-05-23

Cisco is Using AI to Help with Recruitment

The article discusses how Cisco, a leading technology company, is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its recruitment process. Cisco has developed an AI-powered tool called the “Talent Acquisition Intelligence Cloud” to streamline and optimize its hiring efforts. This tool utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data, including resumes, job descriptions, and candidate profiles, to identify the most suitable candidates for open positions. By automating certain aspects of the recruitment process, Cisco aims to reduce the time and effort required for manual screening and evaluation. The AI system can quickly identify relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications, allowing recruiters to focus on the most promising candidates. Additionally, the tool can provide insights into hiring trends, identify potential biases, and suggest ways to improve diversity and inclusion in the recruitment process. Cisco believes that incorporating AI into recruitment will not only enhance efficiency but also lead to better hiring decisions and a more diverse and talented workforce.

2024-05-23

Colorado Moves Ahead With Attempt to Regulate AI's Role

The article discusses Colorado’s efforts to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in government decision-making processes. The state has proposed a bill that would require government agencies to conduct risk assessments before deploying AI systems and establish guidelines for their use. The bill aims to ensure that AI systems are transparent, accountable, and do not discriminate against individuals based on protected characteristics. It also seeks to protect citizens’ privacy and due process rights when AI is used in decision-making processes that impact them. The proposed legislation is seen as a pioneering effort to address the potential risks and challenges posed by the increasing use of AI in government operations. However, some experts caution that the bill may face challenges in implementation and enforcement, as AI systems can be complex and opaque. Overall, the article highlights the growing recognition of the need to establish guardrails and oversight mechanisms for the responsible use of AI in the public sector.

2024-05-23

Colorado State to Move Forward With Attempt to Regulate AI's Hidden Biases

The article discusses Colorado’s efforts to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in an attempt to mitigate hidden biases. The state is set to become the first in the U.S. to implement such regulations, which will require companies to monitor their AI systems for issues like race or gender discrimination. The proposed rules aim to increase transparency and accountability around AI decision-making processes. Companies will need to conduct risk assessments, test their AI systems for bias, and provide consumers with clear information about how the systems work. Failure to comply could result in fines or other penalties. Proponents argue that these regulations are necessary to protect consumers and ensure fairness as AI becomes more prevalent in areas like hiring, housing, and lending. Critics, however, raise concerns about potential overregulation and the challenges of effectively monitoring complex AI systems. The article highlights the growing debate around the ethical use of AI and the need for governance frameworks to address potential biases and risks.

2024-05-23

Colorado State to Move Forward With Attempt to Regulate AI's Hidden Workings

The article discusses Colorado’s efforts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) systems and their hidden workings. The state is considering a bill that would require companies to disclose when AI is being used to make decisions that impact people’s lives, such as in hiring, housing, or lending. The bill aims to create transparency around AI systems and their potential biases. It would also give people the right to opt out of decisions made by AI and have their cases reviewed by humans. Proponents argue that AI systems can perpetuate societal biases and discriminate against certain groups, making regulation necessary. However, critics argue that the bill could stifle innovation and make it harder for companies to use AI. The bill is part of a broader effort by states to regulate AI as the federal government has not yet enacted comprehensive AI laws. Colorado’s move could set a precedent for other states to follow.

2024-05-23

Elon Musk warns AI could take your job

In a recent interview, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, expressed his concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment. Musk stated that AI will be “smarter than the smartest human on earth” within the next five years, and this could lead to widespread job displacement across various industries. He emphasized that AI will be able to outperform humans in almost any task, including highly skilled professions like coding, law, and engineering. Musk cautioned that the rapid advancement of AI could create “a risk of human displacement” and urged governments and companies to start planning for this potential disruption. He suggested implementing measures such as universal basic income to mitigate the economic impact on workers displaced by AI. While acknowledging the benefits of AI, Musk stressed the importance of proactive measures to address the challenges it may pose to the workforce.

2024-05-23

Ex-Google CEO Warns Powerful AI Systems May Need to Be Guarded With Machine Guns by 2024

The article discusses the potential risks and challenges associated with the development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, warns that by 2024, powerful AI systems may need to be guarded with machine guns to prevent unauthorized access or misuse. He emphasizes the importance of establishing robust security measures and ethical frameworks to ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies. The article highlights concerns about the potential for AI systems to be exploited for malicious purposes or to cause unintended harm if not properly controlled. Schmidt stresses the need for collaboration between governments, tech companies, and experts to address these challenges and mitigate risks. He also underscores the importance of public education and transparency regarding the capabilities and limitations of AI systems.

2024-05-23

Ex-Reddit CEO Warns Tech Giants Are Shipping 'Subpar' Products Due to AI Obsession

According to the former CEO of Reddit, Steve Huffman, major tech companies like Google and Microsoft are becoming overly focused on artificial intelligence (AI), leading them to ship subpar products. Huffman expressed concern that these tech giants are prioritizing AI over improving their core offerings, resulting in a decline in product quality. He cited examples such as Google’s search engine becoming less reliable and Microsoft’s Windows operating system experiencing issues. Huffman believes that the current AI hype is causing these companies to divert resources away from their bread-and-butter products, ultimately compromising the user experience. He cautioned that while AI has immense potential, it should not come at the expense of neglecting existing successful products and services that users rely on daily.

2024-05-23

FCC Fines Political Consultant $6 Million for AI Robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has fined a political consultant $6 million for making millions of illegal robocalls using artificial intelligence voices. The FCC alleges that Scott Rhodes, the founder of a political robocall company, made 3.5 million robocalls to households across the country without obtaining consent. The calls used artificial or prerecorded voice messages to deliver anti-abortion messages and promote candidates for federal office. The FCC stated that the calls violated the Truth in Caller ID Act, which prohibits manipulating caller ID information with the intent to defraud or cause harm. The FCC’s investigation found that Rhodes’ company used spoofed caller ID information to make the robocalls appear as if they were coming from local numbers. The FCC’s fine is one of the largest ever issued for violating the Truth in Caller ID Act and aims to deter similar robocall campaigns in the future.

2024-05-23