As the AI landscape rapidly evolves, OpenAI is stepping up its involvement in shaping future regulations. On Tuesday, the company endorsed three Senate bills that could significantly influence federal policy on artificial intelligence.
One of the highlighted bills is the Future of AI Innovation Act, which aims to formally establish the United States AI Safety Institute as a federal authority responsible for setting standards and guidelines for AI models. "We have consistently supported the mission of the institute, which leads the U.S. government’s efforts to ensure that frontier AI systems are developed and deployed safely," stated OpenAI’s Vice President of Global Affairs, Anna Makanju, in a LinkedIn post. She emphasized that the bill would provide essential Congressional backing to minimize potential risks associated with AI technology.
In addition to the Future of AI Innovation Act, OpenAI is also advocating for the NSF AI Education Act and the CREATE AI Act. These pieces of legislation are designed to offer federal scholarships for AI research and to integrate AI educational resources into colleges and K-12 schools.
But why is OpenAI, the force behind ChatGPT, pushing for U.S. laws now? According to Makanju’s LinkedIn post, OpenAI believes the government plays a crucial role in ensuring AI's safety and accessibility. However, there's more to it. As a leader in generative AI, with a skyrocketing valuation of $86 billion thanks to partnerships with Microsoft and now Apple, OpenAI is likely to face increased regulatory scrutiny. By endorsing these bills, OpenAI is not only fostering goodwill with lawmakers but also securing its position in future regulatory discussions.
On Monday, OpenAI joined a coalition of companies, including Microsoft, Meta, Palantir, Cohere, Amazon, and others, in signing a letter supporting the AI Safety Institute. This institute, as outlined in the Future of AI Innovation Act, is expected to collaborate with both private and public organizations to develop AI standards.
Additionally, the Future of AI Innovation Act mandates federal agencies to create publicly available curated datasets, filling a gap unlikely to be addressed by private entities.
The timing of OpenAI's endorsements is strategic, as two of these bills are set for discussion in an Executive Session on Wednesday morning. This move is part of a broader strategy by OpenAI and other AI companies to align with lawmakers who will play a pivotal role in determining the regulatory future of AI.
By supporting these bills, OpenAI is positioning itself as a proactive player in the AI regulatory space, aiming to influence the rules that will govern this transformative technology.
