Democrats from the United States House of Representatives have formed a working group on artificial intelligence aimed at introducing new legislation around the nascent tech sector.
The 97-member New Democrat Coalition announced its AI working group on Aug. 15, stating it would work with President Joe Biden’s administration, stakeholders and lawmakers from both sides of the political arena to develop “sensible, bipartisan policies to address this emerging technology.”
The group will focus on a range of issues including how best to leverage AI for growth while still ensuring that workers who stand to lose their jobs as a result of AI can remain employed.
Artificial Intelligence is the biggest technological threat we’ve faced since the invention of the atomic bomb.
I am proud to be a part of the @NewDemCoalition‘s AI Working Group to assess the dangers and opportunities posed by AI and develop a framework to regulate it. https://t.co/99hGdHgb7x
Representative Derek Kilmer will serve as chair of the AI working group and told CNBC the primary focus of the working group was to crack down on the spread of misinformation and aired concerns on advanced AI-generated deepfakes becoming increasingly prevalent online.
“There’s real concern about the potential for AI generated disinformation, real concern about misuse of advanced AI models.”
“That’s the type of thing that requires Congress to get smart and get smart fast,” Kilmer added.
Artificial intelligence is the next great frontier of technological advancement.
And we’re already seeing how breakthroughs in this emerging technology present both great opportunities and challenges with potential disruptions for workers, democracy, and national security. https://t.co/hflVef6k9Y
Lawmakers, academics and top tech CEOs have all signaled the need to reign in on the potential dangers raised by AI.
In May, Vice President Kamala Harris, along with Biden’s top advisers, held a meeting with several AI industry CEOs to discuss concerns about the risks associated with AI.
In June, President Biden held a meeting with experts in AI in Silicon Valley to discuss a similar subject.
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has resigned from the Labour Party.
The 53-year-old MP is the first to jump ship since the general election and in her resignation letter criticised the prime minister for accepting thousands of pounds worth of gifts.
She told Sir Keir Starmer the reason for leaving now is “the programme of policies you seem determined to stick to”, despite their unpopularity with the electorate and MPs.
In her letter she accused the prime minister and his top team of “sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice” which are “off the scale”.
“I’m so ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party,” she said.
Since December 2019, the prime minister received £107,145 in gifts, benefits, and hospitality – a specific category in parliament’s register of MPs’ interests.
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Ms Duffield, who has previously clashed with the prime minister on gender issues, attacked the government for pursuing “cruel and unnecessary” policies as she resigned the Labour whip.
She criticised the decision to keep the two-child benefit cap and means-test the winter fuel payment, and accused the prime minister of “hypocrisy” over his acceptance of free gifts from donors.
“Since the change of government in July, the revelations of hypocrisy have been staggering and increasingly outrageous,” she said.
“I cannot put into words how angry I and my colleagues are at your total lack of understanding about how you have made us all appear.”
Ms Duffield also mentioned the recent “treatment of Diane Abbott”, who said she thought she had been barred from standing by Labour ahead of the general election, before Sir Keir said she would be allowed to defend her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat for the party.
Her relationship with the Labour leadership has long been strained and her decision to quit the party comes after seven other Labour MPs were suspended for rebelling by voting for a motion calling for the two-child benefit cap to be abolished.
“Someone with far-above-average wealth choosing to keep the Conservatives’ two-child limit to benefit payments which entrenches children in poverty, while inexplicably accepting expensive personal gifts of designer suits and glasses costing more than most of those people can grasp – this is entirely undeserving of holding the title of Labour prime minister,” she said.
Ms Duffield said she will continue to represent her constituents as an independent MP, “guided by my core Labour values”.