The Biden administration is on the brink of initiating a new strategy to protect U.S. AI technology from potential threats posed by China and Russia. Reuters reported on Wednesday that preliminary plans are underway to implement safeguards around the most sophisticated AI models, a move driven by concerns from government and private sector researchers.
These advanced AI models, which analyze vast amounts of text and images to generate content, raise fears of aggressive cyberattacks and the creation of dangerous biological weapons by U.S. adversaries.
DEEPFAKES AND MISINFORMATION
Synthetic media, such as deepfakes, created by AI algorithms trained on extensive online data, are increasingly prevalent on social media platforms. This blurs the lines between fact and fiction, particularly in the politically charged landscape of U.S. politics. Despite policies against misleading content, generative AI tools like Midjourney have made it cheap and easy to produce convincing deepfakes.
Tools powered by artificial intelligence from companies like OpenAI and Microsoft can generate photos that could potentially spread election-related disinformation. While major social media platforms have made efforts to combat deepfakes, their effectiveness varies.
BIOWEAPONS
Concerns are growing within the American intelligence community and among think tanks and academics regarding the potential misuse of advanced AI capabilities by foreign actors. Researchers have highlighted the risk of AI models providing information that could aid in the creation of biological weapons.
NEW EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THREATS
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a bill aimed at facilitating the imposition of export controls on AI models to protect U.S. technology. Sponsored by House Republicans Michael McCaul and John Molenaar and Democrats Raja Krishnamoorthi and Susan Wild, the bill also empowers the Commerce Department to restrict collaboration between Americans and foreigners on AI systems posing national security risks.
While policymakers aim to mitigate the risks associated with AI technology, there is a delicate balance between fostering innovation and preventing potential misuse through heavy-handed regulation.
