In a significant development in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the White House has begun addressing issues related to AI copyright and regulation. Ben Buchanan, President Joe Biden’s Special Advisor for Artificial Intelligence, has been at the forefront of this new focus. This comes in the wake of the Executive Order on AI issued by President Biden, which has sparked discussions and actions on various aspects of AI technology.
Evolving AI landscape and executive actions
Since the Executive Order on AI, the White House has noted considerable progress in several of its directives. Buchanan, who took on the role of AI advisor last summer, has emphasized the rapid evolution of AI, highlighting developments such as the ease of creating deepfakes and the misuse of generative AI in activities like fake robocalls impersonating President Biden.
Despite these advancements, Buchanan admitted the White House’s limited authority in setting standards for AI technology through executive action. However, he hinted at upcoming regulatory discussions, indicating a move towards legislative involvement in the AI domain.
The copyright debate: Balancing innovation and compensation
A significant development since the Executive Order is the growing debate around AI and copyright. The US Copyright Office opened a public comment period last year, considering new rules for generative AI and the training of large language models. This issue touches on the use of vast amounts of copyrighted content by major companies like Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google for their AI model training.
While the White House has not adopted an official stance, Buchanan stated that the administration’s priority is to maintain an innovative AI ecosystem while ensuring that content creators are appropriately compensated. This statement reflects a balance between fostering technological advancements and protecting intellectual property rights.
Potential applications and concerns of AI
Buchanan also discussed various applications of AI, from individual use cases to government-wide applications and societal impacts. He expressed excitement about AI’s potential in science, particularly in biology and healthcare. However, he also acknowledged the dual nature of AI, citing the need for managing risks to maximize benefits.
The issue of deepfakes was a particular concern, with Buchanan acknowledging the ease of creating such content using powerful AI tools. The White House has responded by securing commitments from leading AI companies to build and deploy watermarking systems. Additionally, the AI Safety Institute at the Department of Commerce has been tasked with setting standards for watermarking and content provenance.
Navigating the challenges of AI regulation
Regarding regulation, the conversation shifted to the role of the government and the free speech implications. Buchanan highlighted the efforts to inform consumers when content is AI-generated, working with companies and setting industry standards.
The White House has also utilized the Defense Production Act to survey AI companies on their safety measures, a move indicating a more assertive stance on AI oversight. Buchanan confirmed that surveys have been sent to AI companies, emphasizing the legal authority behind this action.
Looking forward, Buchanan mentioned upcoming legislative discussions, acknowledging the complexity of the AI landscape and the need for broader legislative frameworks. He referenced productive conversations with the EU regarding its AI Act and expressed optimism about continued collaboration.
The White House’s engagement in the AI copyright and regulation debate marks a significant step in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI technology. The administration’s approach balances innovation with the need for appropriate compensation for content creators and highlights the evolving nature of AI regulation and oversight.
