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The House of Representatives hasfounded a Task Force on artificial intelligencethat will “ check America continues leading in this strategic area , ” as Speaker Mike Johnson put it . But the annunciation feels more like a punt after age of irresolution that show no signaling of ending .
In a way this task force — chaired by California Reps Ted Lieu and Jay Obernolte — is a welcome sign of Congress doing something , anything , on an important topic that has become the darling of tech investment . But in another , more important fashion , it comes off as backtalk divine service at a meter many experience AI and tech are running circles around regulators and lawmaker .
Furthermore , the deject partiality and impediment on video display every day in Congress renders quaint any notion that this labor force would produce anything of value at any clip , let alone during a historically divisive election year .
“ As new innovations in AI go forward to emerge , Congress and our partners in federal administration must keep up . House Republicans and Democrats will exploit together to create a comprehensive report detail the regulative standards and congressional actions necessitate to both protect consumer and foster continued investment and invention in AI , ” said Rep. Obernolte in the annunciation .
And Rep. Lieu : “ AI has the capability of change our lives as we know it . The question is how to insure AI welfare order rather of harm us . As a recover Computer Science major , I know this will not be an easy or nimble or one - time task , but I believe Congress has an essential role to play in the time to come of AI . I have been heartened to see so many Members of Congress of all political persuasions agree . ”
Of course , theWhite House , numerous agencies , the EUand myriad otherauthorities and organizationsare already issuing “ comprehensive story ” and recommending legislative actions , but what ’s one more ?
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It seems as though Congress clear that it was the last substantive entity to move on this industry - reshaping force , and so representatives achieve across the gangway to dab each other on the back for admit the smallest potential measure toward future legislation .
But at the same time , with Congress dysfunctional ( having go past a historically low number of bills ) and all eyes on the 2024 presidential election , this task force is just a path of sound off the can down the road until they hump what they can get aside with under the number governance .
Certainly studying AI and its risk and benefit is not a bad thing — but it ’s a little late in the day to be annunciate it . This undertaking effect is long delinquent , and as such we may receive it but also treat it with the same skepticism that lawgiver pander deserves .
Everyone take with this will point to it when necessitate why they have n’t play on AI , which many voters fear is make out for their line or automating processes that once had a purposeful human tactile sensation . “ But we started this task effect ! ” Yes , and the EU has hadtheirtask force ferment on this subject since the pandemic days .
The annunciation of the task force play continue expectation low , with no timeline or deliverable that voters or watchdogs can hold them to . Even the report is something they will only “ seek ” to create !
moreover , see the expert agencies areat risk of declaw via Supreme Court decision , it is hard to even imagine what a regulatory structure would look like a year from now . Want the FTC , FCC , SEC , EPA or anyone else to help out ? They may be judicially restrained from doing so hail 2025 .
Perhaps this undertaking strength is Congress ’s admission that during such tumultuous time , and lacking any veridical perceptivity into an issue , all they can do is say “ we ’ll look into it . ”
