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Governing AI Before It’s Too Late
The explosion of generative AI we’ve seen since November 2022 has been a game changer in both technology and politics, capable of bringing enormous growth and productivity but also the potential for great peril. How can AI be regulated and governed before it’s too late? That’s the topic of a new collaboration between our own Ian Bremmer, founder and president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, and Mustafa Suleyman, CEO and co-founder of Inflection AI.
Together they penned an article for the September issue of Foreign Affairs magazine which details a plan to create a global framework around fast-moving and evolving technologies. The two describe the need for 5 basic principles of governance, and new global organizations that can monitor and mitigate risk without stifling growth.
In this special report for GZERO Media, Bremmer and Suleyman join GZERO’s publisher Evan Solomon to take a deep and critical look at where AI is today, where it is going, and how to prevent it from becoming ungovernable.
- How should artificial intelligence be governed? ›
- AI regulation can’t address what people want ›
- China to require AI licenses ›
- Regulate AI: Sure, but how? ›
- Podcast: Getting to know generative AI with Gary Marcus - GZERO Media ›
- The AI power paradox: Rules for AI's power - GZERO Media ›
- UK AI Safety Summit brings government leaders and AI experts together - GZERO Media ›
- AI agents are here, but is society ready for them? - GZERO Media ›
- Podcast: Artificial intelligence new rules: Ian Bremmer and Mustafa Suleyman explain the AI power paradox - GZERO Media ›
Biden's Summit for Democracy gets slow start on tech concerns
Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center, Eurasia Group senior advisor and former MEP, discusses trends in big tech, privacy protection and cyberspace:
What is the goal of the Summit for Democracy?
President Biden ran his campaign for the soul of the nation and wanted to show the world at the same time that America is back. So the idea of having better cooperation between democracies is one with growing support, especially given the rise of authoritarianism, but also attacks on civil society and the use of technologies for repression and harm to democracy directly.
What were the outcomes of the summit?
Those have, unfortunately, not quite materialized yet. It started with a lot of fuss around which countries should be included. Singapore and Hungary were not invited, while Iraq, Brazil, and Pakistan were welcomed. So, where the Democratic line was drawn was not very clear. Now, having countries aspire to be included, I think is good, but then what remains the true Democratic basis of such a large tent is a big question. And the closer the day of the summit came, the more it was considered the kickoff of a year of action. So not much action to start with. The Alliance for the Future of the Internet was pushed further into that year, at the last moment, after criticism of experts and civil society groups. I was quite surprised that there were only a couple hundred people watching the livestream of President Biden's address in which he did announce a fund for public interest media. And so in one year I think a stock-taking of all actions should be held and only then can we assess whether the summit really made a difference, both at home in the United States and globally.
Stop misinformation blame game — let's do something about it
Who's most responsible for spreading misinformation online? For Ginny Badanes, senior director for Democracy Forward at Microsoft, the problem starts with those who create it, yet ultimately governments, companies and individuals all share the burden. And she's more interested in what we can do to respond.
Ginny Badanes spoke at a live Global Stage event, Infodemic: defending democracy from disinformation. Watch the full event here: https://www.gzeromedia.com/global-stage/virtual-events/disinformation-is-a-big-problem-what-can-we-do-about-it
How will the global corporate tax deal impact tech companies?
Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center, Eurasia Group senior advisor and former MEP, discusses trends in big tech, privacy protection and cyberspace:
Will the OECD-brokered global corporate tax deal make a difference?
Well, it should, at least in two years, once it is adopted by the 136 countries that have now agreed to it. Once enforced, a minimum contribution would see approximately $125 billion flowing to public purses where it doesn't today. It would make it harder for countries to be tax havens or to be part of this race to the bottom when it comes to tax rates. It puts a limit on competition between countries but that is still possible. Now, public scrutiny over the corporate sector has intensified over the past years and with a whole host of issues like health care, climate change, and infrastructure begging for better solutions, there is a need for fair taxation that is widely supported, both publicly and now also politically.
Will tech companies finally start paying their fair share?
Well, they would be part of this treaty once it is in place, but in the meantime, there is actually a two-year ban on tax levies. The US negotiated that because if you recall, there were French proposals to tax US tech giants over their European income and profits and those almost led to a trade war between the two allies. So, most likely this OECD tax treaty will go over much more smoothly. Already, the historic agreement by the OECD and G20 countries is a much-needed sign of hope.
The US and EU further talks on technology governance
Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center, Eurasia Group senior advisor and former MEP, discusses trends in big tech, privacy protection and cyberspace:
Hello, and welcome to the new Cyber In 60 Seconds. My name is Marietje Schaake, and you're finding me at the Democracy Forum in Athens. So, from my hotel room, I'm looking back at the Trade and Technology Council that took place in Pittsburgh this week.
For those who missed it, this gathering brought together high-level officials from the Biden administration and the European Commission. It was a long-anticipated meeting that was supposed to reach conclusions about a shared governance agenda for tech-related issues like AI, data, semiconductors, and foreign direct investments. But the Trade and Technology Council was also expected and hoped to mark a new start after very difficult years across the Atlantic. I think we all remember the years when President Trump was still in the White House. And thankfully, the August fallout and French anger did not end up pouring cold water over the events. Although, the general sentiment in Europe that the honeymoon weeks are over is widely shared.
The conclusions of the Trade and Technology Council actually read more like an agreement on the agenda for the next couple of years, rather than tangible actions and conclusions. Tony Gardner, the former US Ambassador to the EU actually remarked that reading them, he figured the fact that the meeting took place at all was a result to mark. But with low expectations, the only way seems up, and there is work being planned in no less than 10 working groups, focusing on green tech standards and SMEs.
And developments that I'm going to watch are trade rules such as sharing information on dual-use export controls, but also FDI screening. The coordination on semiconductors, despite respective programs to develop domestic industries. Data governance, including access for academics. But without the privacy, because that issue is negotiated separately. And then of course, the question of aligning and governing AI in line with democratic values and respect for human rights. Between now and the next meeting, it will be interesting to watch how the tensions between the EU, the US, and China may unfold and whether the EU and the US will converge as part of a larger democratic alliance, but also which domestic legislative initiatives may go on and unfold that could actually impact the agenda of the next Trade and Technology Council in a year.
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