On June 8, Republicans adopted a new party platform ahead of a possible second term for former President Donald Trump. The platform includes updated policy positions on abortion, immigration, and crime, but also contains a provision that has some artificial intelligence experts concerned. The platform vows to scrap President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI, which was signed last October. Biden’s executive order aimed to address threats that AI technology could pose to civil rights, privacy, and national security, while promoting innovation and competition. It requires developers of powerful AI systems to share safety test results with the government and calls for guidelines on responsible AI use in areas like criminal justice and federal benefits programs.
The Republican platform argues that Biden’s executive order hinders AI innovation and imposes left-wing ideas on technology development. Some industry groups, including NetChoice, which represents tech giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon, support the potential repeal of the executive order. They believe that the order creates unnecessary burdens on small businesses and innovators trying to enter the AI marketplace. Critics of the executive order fear that over-regulation could stifle AI progress and weaken America’s technological edge, potentially allowing competitors like China to surpass the U.S. in AI development.
Despite support for overturning Biden’s executive order from some industry groups, recent polling suggests that Americans on both sides of the political spectrum are skeptical about avoiding AI regulation to outcompete China. A poll conducted in late June found that there is concern about the potential consequences of deregulating AI and the impact it could have on national security and privacy. Many Americans believe that some level of regulation is necessary to ensure that AI technology is used responsibly and ethically.
The debate over AI regulation reflects broader concerns about the implications of advanced technology on society, privacy, and national security. While some argue that deregulation is necessary to foster innovation and maintain America’s competitive edge, others believe that oversight is essential to prevent potential harms from AI misuse. The decision to repeal or uphold Biden’s executive order on AI will have significant implications for the future development and deployment of AI technology in the United States.
As the debate over AI regulation continues, policymakers and industry stakeholders will need to find a balance between promoting innovation and protecting the public interest. The outcome of this debate will shape the future of AI technology and its impact on society, economy, and national security. It remains to be seen how the repeal of Biden’s executive order on AI, as proposed in the Republican platform, will influence the direction of AI policy in the United States.
