Main Topic: The use of artificial intelligence tools by federal agencies to handle Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Key Points:
1. Several federal agencies, including the State Department, Justice Department, and CDC, are testing or using machine-learning models and algorithms to search for information in government records.
2. Some transparency advocates are concerned about the lack of safeguards and standards in the use of AI for FOIA purposes.
3. The FOIA process needs modernization and improvement due to increasing caseloads and backlogs of requests.
### Summary
The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is making it difficult for the public to differentiate between real and fake content, raising concerns about deceptive fake political content in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. However, the Content Authenticity Initiative is working on a digital standard to restore trust in online content.
### Facts
- Generative AI is capable of producing hyper-realistic fake content, including text, images, audio, and video.
- Tools using AI have been used to create deceptive political content, such as images of President Joe Biden in a Republican Party ad and a fabricated voice of former President Donald Trump endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' White House bid.
- The Content Authenticity Initiative, a coalition of companies, is developing a digital standard to restore trust in online content.
- Truepic, a company involved in the initiative, uses camera technology to add verified content provenance information to images, helping to verify their authenticity.
- The initiative aims to display "content credentials" that provide information about the history of a piece of content, including how it was captured and edited.
- The hope is for widespread adoption of the standard by creators to differentiate authentic content from manipulated content.
- Adobe is having conversations with social media platforms to implement the new content credentials, but no platforms have joined the initiative yet.
- Experts are concerned that generative AI could further erode trust in information ecosystems and potentially impact democratic processes, highlighting the importance of industry-wide change.
- Regulators and lawmakers are engaging in conversations and discussions about addressing the challenges posed by AI-generated fake content.
### Summary
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) presents both beneficial possibilities and concerning risks, as experts warn about potential negative impacts including the threat of extinction. Government and industry efforts are being made to manage these risks and regulate AI technology, while also addressing concerns about misinformation, bias, and the need for societal literacy in understanding AI.
### Facts
- The use of AI is rapidly growing in various areas such as health care, the workplace, education, arts, and entertainment.
- The Center for AI Safety (CAIS) issued a warning signed by hundreds of individuals, including tech industry leaders and scientists, about the need to prioritize mitigating the risks of AI alongside global-scale dangers like pandemics and nuclear war.
- CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, expressed both the benefits and concerns associated with AI technology, emphasizing the need for serious consideration of its risks.
- Some experts believe that the warnings about potential risks from AI are more long-term scenarios rather than immediate doomsday situations, and caution against the hype surrounding AI.
- The National Council of State Legislatures is working on regulating AI at the state level, with several states already introducing AI bills and forming advisory groups.
- State legislators aim to define responsible AI utilization by governments and protect constituents engaging with AI in the private sector.
- The federal government is establishing National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes to invest in long-term AI research.
- Misinformation and disinformation are concerns related to AI, as certain AI algorithms can generate biased and inaccurate information.
- OpenAI acknowledges the potential for AI tools to contribute to disinformation campaigns and is collaborating with researchers and industry peers to address this issue.
- The NCSL report highlights the need for policymakers to understand the programming decisions behind AI systems and their potential impact on citizens.
- Society lacks the ability and literacy to distinguish truth from false information, leading to the proliferation and belief in generative misinformation.
### 🤖 AI
- The use of artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing across various fields.
- Concerns have been raised about the potential risks and negative impacts of AI.
- Government and industry efforts are underway to manage AI risks and regulate the technology.
- Misinformation, bias, and the lack of societal literacy in understanding AI are additional challenges.
### Summary
Generative AI tools are being adopted rapidly by businesses, but organizations must establish safeguards to protect sensitive data, ensure customer privacy, and avoid regulatory violations.
### Facts
- The use of generative AI tools poses risks such as AI errors, malicious attacks, and potential exposure of sensitive data.
- Samsung's semiconductor division experienced trade secrets leaks after engineers used ChatGPT, a generative AI platform developed by OpenAI.
- Organizations are embracing genAI tools to increase revenue, drive innovation, and improve employee productivity.
- Privacy and data protection, inaccurate outputs, and cybersecurity risks are among the main challenges organizations face when using genAI.
- Risk management strategies for genAI include defining policies for acceptable use, implementing input content filters, and ensuring data privacy and protection.
- Users should be cautious of prompt injection attacks and implement strong security measures to protect against potential breaches.
- Despite the risks, the advantages of using AI tools, such as increased productivity, innovation, and automation, outweigh the potential drawbacks.
### Emoji
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A new poll conducted by the AI Policy Institute reveals that 72 percent of American voters want to slow down the development of AI, signaling a divergence between elite opinion and public opinion on the technology. Additionally, the poll shows that 82 percent of American voters do not trust AI companies to self-regulate. To address these concerns, the AI Now Institute has proposed a framework called "Zero Trust AI Governance," which calls for lawmakers to vigorously enforce existing laws, establish bold and easily administrable rules, and place the burden of proof on companies to demonstrate the safety of their AI systems.
Salesforce has released an AI Acceptable Use Policy that outlines the restrictions on the use of its generative AI products, including prohibiting their use for weapons development, adult content, profiling based on protected characteristics, medical or legal advice, and more. The policy emphasizes the need for responsible innovation and sets clear ethical guidelines for the use of AI.
The increasing investment in generative AI and its disruptive impact on various industries has brought the need for regulation to the forefront, with technologists and regulators recognizing the importance of ensuring safer technological applications, but differing on the scope of regulation needed. However, it is argued that existing frameworks and standards, similar to those applied to the internet, can be adapted to regulate AI and protect consumer interests without stifling innovation.
Generative AI, a technology with the potential to significantly boost productivity and add trillions of dollars to the global economy, is still in the early stages of adoption and widespread use at many companies is still years away due to concerns about data security, accuracy, and economic implications.
Generative AI has revolutionized various sectors by producing novel content, but it also raises concerns around biases, intellectual property rights, and security risks. Debates on copyrightability and ownership of AI-generated content need to be resolved, and existing laws should be modified to address the risks associated with generative AI.
Generative AI is being used to create misinformation that is increasingly difficult to distinguish from reality, posing significant threats such as manipulating public opinion, disrupting democratic processes, and eroding trust, with experts advising skepticism, attention to detail, and not sharing potentially AI-generated content to combat this issue.
AI technology is making it easier and cheaper to produce mass-scale propaganda campaigns and disinformation, using generative AI tools to create convincing articles, tweets, and even journalist profiles, raising concerns about the spread of AI-powered fake content and the need for mitigation strategies.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, have the potential to supercharge disinformation campaigns in the 2024 elections, increasing the quantity, quality, and personalization of false information distributed to voters, but there are limitations to their effectiveness and platforms are working to mitigate the risks.
"Generative" AI is being explored in various fields such as healthcare and art, but there are concerns regarding privacy and theft that need to be addressed.
The UK government is at risk of contempt of court if it fails to improve its response to requests for transparency about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in vetting welfare claims, according to the information commissioner. The government has been accused of maintaining secrecy over the use of AI algorithms to detect fraud and error in universal credit claims, and it has refused freedom of information requests and blocked MPs' questions on the matter. Child poverty campaigners have expressed concerns about the potential devastating impact on children if benefits are suspended.
Generative AI tools are causing concerns in the tech industry as they produce unreliable and low-quality content on the web, leading to issues of authorship, incorrect information, and potential information crisis.
A survey of 213 computer science professors suggests that a new federal agency should be created in the United States to govern artificial intelligence (AI), while the majority of respondents believe that AI will be capable of performing less than 20% of tasks currently done by humans.
The United States Copyright Office has launched a study on artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright law, seeking public input on various policy issues and exploring topics such as AI training, copyright liability, and authorship. Other U.S. government agencies, including the SEC, USPTO, and DHS, have also initiated inquiries and public forums on AI, highlighting its impact on innovation, governance, and public policy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) poses a high risk to the integrity of the election process, as evidenced by the use of AI-generated content in politics today, and there is a need for stronger content moderation policies and proactive measures to combat the use of AI in coordinated disinformation campaigns.
China is employing artificial intelligence to manipulate American voters through the dissemination of AI-generated visuals and content, according to a report by Microsoft.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is using artificial intelligence to investigate tax evasion at large partnerships, targeting wealthy Americans and corporations, to crack down on tax cheats and address complex cases that have overwhelmed the agency; however, the IRS's use of AI has faced criticism and concerns over trust and equitable enforcement practices.
Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) plans to introduce legislation prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by the federal government for law enforcement purposes, in response to the Internal Revenue Service's recently announced AI-driven tax enforcement initiative.
China's targeted and iterative approach to regulating artificial intelligence (AI) could provide valuable lessons for the United States, despite ideological differences, as the U.S. Congress grapples with comprehensive AI legislation covering various issues like national security, job impact, and democratic values. Learning from China's regulatory structure and process can help U.S. policymakers respond more effectively to the challenges posed by AI.
A surge in AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) circulating online has been observed by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), raising concerns about the ability to identify and protect real children in need. Efforts are being made by law enforcement and policymakers to address the growing issue of deepfake content created using generative AI platforms, including the introduction of legislation in the US to prevent the use of deceptive AI in elections.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is set to announce new limits on its use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, aiming to ensure responsible and effective use while safeguarding privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. The agency plans to adopt AI in various missions, including border control and supply chain security, but acknowledges the potential for unintended harm and the need for transparency. The new policy will allow Americans to decline the use of facial recognition technology and require manual review of AI-generated facial recognition matches for accuracy.
Recent Capitol Hill activity, including proposed legislation and AI hearings, provides corporate leaders with greater clarity on the federal regulation of artificial intelligence, offering insight into potential licensing requirements, oversight, accountability, transparency, and consumer protections.
Generative AI is empowering fraudsters with sophisticated new tools, enabling them to produce convincing scam texts, clone voices, and manipulate videos, posing serious threats to individuals and businesses.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation discussed the federal government's use of artificial intelligence (AI) and emphasized the need for responsible governance, oversight, and accountability to mitigate risks and protect civil liberties and privacy rights.
Adversaries and criminal groups are exploiting artificial intelligence (AI) technology to carry out malicious activities, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray, who warned that while AI can automate tasks for law-abiding citizens, it also enables the creation of deepfakes and malicious code, posing a threat to US citizens. The FBI is working to identify and track those misusing AI, but is cautious about using it themselves. Other US security agencies, however, are already utilizing AI to combat various threats, while concerns about China's use of AI for misinformation and propaganda are growing.
Generative AI is a form of artificial intelligence that can create various forms of content, such as images, text, music, and virtual worlds, by learning patterns and rules from existing data, and its emergence raises ethical questions regarding authenticity, intellectual property, and job displacement.
A new poll reveals that 63% of American voters believe regulation should actively prevent the development of superintelligent AI, challenging the assumption that artificial general intelligence (AGI) should exist. The public is increasingly questioning the potential risks and costs associated with AGI, highlighting the need for democratic input and oversight in the development of transformative technologies.
AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent in political campaigns and poses a significant threat to democratic processes as it can be used to spread misinformation and disinformation to manipulate voters.
While many experts are concerned about the existential risks posed by AI, Mustafa Suleyman, cofounder of DeepMind, believes that the focus should be on more practical issues like regulation, privacy, bias, and online moderation. He is confident that governments can effectively regulate AI by applying successful frameworks from past technologies, although critics argue that current internet regulations are flawed and insufficiently hold big tech companies accountable. Suleyman emphasizes the importance of limiting AI's ability to improve itself and establishing clear boundaries and oversight to ensure enforceable laws. Several governments, including the European Union and China, are already working on AI regulations.
Pennsylvania state government is preparing to use artificial intelligence in its operations and is taking steps to understand and regulate its impact, including the formation of an AI governing board and the development of training programs for state employees.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order establishing standards and a governance framework for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by state agencies, as well as creating a Generative AI Governing Board and outlining core values to govern AI use. The order aims to responsibly integrate AI into government operations and enhance employee job functions.
AI-generated deepfakes pose serious challenges for policymakers, as they can be used for political propaganda, incite violence, create conflicts, and undermine democracy, highlighting the need for regulation and control over AI technology.
The European Union is warning about the risks posed by widely accessible generative AI tools in relation to disinformation and elections, calling on platforms to implement safeguards and urging ChatGPT maker OpenAI to take action to address these risks. The EU's voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation is being used as a temporary measure until the upcoming AI Act is adopted, which will make user disclosures a legal requirement for AI technologies.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to facilitate deceptive practices such as deepfake videos and misleading ads, posing a threat to American democracy, according to experts who testified before the U.S. Senate Rules Committee.
The development and use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education raises questions about intellectual property rights, authorship, and the need for new regulations, with the potential for exacerbating existing inequities if not properly addressed.
Minnesota Democrats are calling for regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) in elections, expressing concerns about the potential for AI to deceive and manipulate voters, while also acknowledging its potential benefits for efficiency and productivity in election administration.
Foreign actors are increasingly using artificial intelligence, including generative AI and large language models, to produce and distribute disinformation during elections, posing a new and evolving threat to democratic processes worldwide. As elections in various countries are approaching, the effectiveness and impact of AI-produced propaganda remain uncertain, highlighting the need for efforts to detect and combat such disinformation campaigns.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a positive force for democracy, particularly in combatting hate speech, but public trust should be reserved until the technology is better understood and regulated, according to Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs for Meta.
China's use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate social media and shape global public opinion poses a growing threat to democracies, as generative AI allows for the creation of more effective and believable content at a lower cost, with implications for the 2024 elections.
The responsibility of determining how generative AI innovations will be implemented across the economy lies with all individuals, from AI experts to finance professionals, who should have a baseline understanding of responsible AI and contribute to the decision-making process, according to experts. The National Institute for Standards and Technology has released an AI risk management framework to guide organizations in reducing discrimination, increasing transparency, and ensuring trustworthiness in AI systems. CEOs and executive committees must take responsibility for assessing the use of AI within their organizations, and strong governance is essential for successful implementation. Additionally, concerns about the impact of AI on the workforce can be addressed through training programs that focus on responsible AI practices.
China's use of artificial intelligence (AI) for surveillance and oppression should deter the United States from collaborating with China on AI development and instead focus on asserting itself in international standards-setting bodies, open sourcing AI technologies, and promoting explainable AI to ensure transparency and uphold democratic values.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to face a reality check in 2024, as fading hype, rising costs, and calls for regulation indicate a slowdown in the technology's growth, according to analyst firm CCS Insight. The firm also predicts obstacles in EU AI regulation and the introduction of content warnings for AI-generated material by a search engine. Additionally, CCS Insight anticipates the first arrests for AI-based identity fraud to occur next year.
A new poll shows that 77% of Americans support the federal government developing its own AI resources and staff instead of outsourcing to private consultants and big tech companies. The outsourcing approach raises concerns about conflicts of interest, high costs, and the consolidation of power among big tech giants. Policymakers have the opportunity to build public capacity by addressing the lack of AI experts in government and improving coordination between government IT teams.
