Avast ye landlubbers! As this contraption called AI spreads its wings o'er the seven seas, let the UN be its captain, arrr!
2023-07-27
Avast ye scurvy dogs! The world be witnessin' a grand clash o' open science, data loot, and the proper deployin' o' AI on this vast sea o' geopolitics. Arrr, buckle up, 'tis a wild ride ahead!
The emergence of AI systems has sparked a need for regulation in their development and the underlying data they rely on. This need for regulation is not only present in policy and public agendas, but also among technology industry leaders who stand to profit from AI advancements. However, despite the call for a pause in AI development by tech entrepreneurs and researchers, such requests rarely succeed. Similar concerns were raised in the past with the convergence of information technology and biotech, but research never ceased. Previous technological advancements like cable TV, computers, and the internet were also predicted to bring about the end of the world, but instead, they led to positive changes.Data and AI tools have become crucial building blocks for modern societies, much like energy. They are necessary for meeting the needs of the 21st century. However, this reliance on data and AI has raised ethical concerns. The data policies of Europe, the US, and China reflect their desire for technological sovereignty and control over strategic assets. It is challenging to imagine these countries allowing another power to control leading AI tools. As science becomes more data-driven, the scientific community is also concerned about the regulation of AI.
To address these concerns, the author suggests global regulation under an International Data and AI Agency (IDAIA), similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) created after World War II. The IDAIA could ensure FAIR data practices, require AI systems to identify themselves, implement use-case-based regulation, and create a level global playing field. Just as the IAEA played a role in containing the use of nuclear technology, the IDAIA could play a similar role in regulating AI.
In summary, the growing need for AI regulation stems from the reliance on data and AI tools as strategic assets in modern societies. To address this need, global regulation under an IDAIA is proposed, similar to the role played by the IAEA in containing nuclear technology.