Kamala Harris Demands Regulation Of AI ‘Discrimination’

On Monday, Joe Biden signed an executive order at the White House to enforce new safety assessments and provide equity and civil rights guidance for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Vice President Kamala Harris stood by his side, affirming the Biden administration’s commitment to “algorithmic discrimination” prevention and equitable benefit sharing from AI advancements.

The executive order, accompanied by Harris’ remarks, marks a significant step toward embedding “woke” ideology into the AI field. Harris stated, “I believe we have a moral, ethical, and societal duty to ensure that AI is adopted and advanced in a way that protects the public from potential harm and ensures that everyone is able to enjoy its benefits.” This statement is at the core of the administration’s AI strategy, encapsulated in the “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.”

While Harris and Biden’s intentions may seem altruistic, their approach raises questions about the balance between equity and autonomy in AI. The American Accountability Foundation (AAF), a conservative watchdog group, has voiced concerns over the administration’s use of AI to propagate progressive ideology, with left-wing activists at the forefront of these efforts. AAF President Tom Jones warned that “the Biden administration is trying to rig AI to follow the woke left’s rules.” This is not just about fighting algorithmic discrimination but rather an attempt to align AI with a specific ideological framework.

The fact that the administration has sought advice on technology policy from “racially obsessed social academics and activists,” as pointed out by Jones, instead of scientists, further highlights the potential for bias in the AI industry. The same technology firms, like Google under Eric Schmidt, have previously used their power to push a left-leaning agenda. The Biden administration’s alliance with these tech giants could escalate this trend to new heights.

Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, warns that critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are fundamental to the administration’s AI strategy. By embedding these principles into every aspect of AI, the Biden administration is potentially compromising the autonomy of AI systems.

There’s no denying that AI, like any other technology, should be developed and utilized responsibly. The public must be protected from potential harms, such as data privacy violations and the creation of deep fakes. However, the administration’s emphasis on “proactive equity assessments as part of the system design” as part of the AI Bill of Rights raises concerns about the potential for overregulation and ideological bias in AI development.

At what point does the pursuit of equity impede the autonomy and innovation of the AI industry? While the administration is quick to emphasize its moral and ethical duty to prevent algorithmic discrimination, it must also recognize the importance of maintaining an environment that fosters innovation and respects the autonomy of AI developers and users alike.

The debate over AI regulation is a complex one, requiring a balanced approach that ensures both the protection of the public and the fostering of innovation. The Biden administration’s current strategy, however, leans heavily toward the former, potentially stifling the AI industry’s growth and progress. As we move forward, we must strike the right balance to ensure that AI benefits all of society without compromising the very essence of what makes AI a transformative and valuable technology.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR