The Biden Administration Secures Voluntary Commitments From Leading AI Firms: A Step Forward Or Empty Rhetoric?

On Friday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a voluntary agreement has been reached with seven leading AI companies, including Amazon
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, Google, and Microsoft
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. The move, ostensibly aimed at managing the risks posed by AI and protecting Americans’ rights and safety, has provoked a range of questions, the foremost among them being: What does the new voluntary AI agreement mean?

At first glance, the voluntary nature of these commitments looks promising. Regulation in the technology sector is always contentious, with companies wary of stifling growth and governments eager to avoid making mistakes. By sidestepping the direct imposition of command and control regulation, the administration can avoid the pitfalls of imposing excessively burdensome rules. This is precisely the mistake the European Union has made over the years, the end result being to choke off innovation on the continent.