AI Ethics, Governance & Policy

‘Information Gap’ Between AI Creators and Policymakers Needs to be Resolved – Report An article from the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights a significant disconnect in understanding between AI developers and policymakers. The report, co-authored by Adriana Bora, an AI policy researcher, and David Alexandru Timis, explores how to bridge accountability and trust issues surrounding…

Google Revises Paper Review Process After Internal Backlash Google is overhauling its approach to reviewing research papers following significant dissatisfaction among its employees regarding the company’s handling of sensitive topics. This change comes in the wake of the controversial dismissal of esteemed AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru in December 2020. Gebru had publicly criticized Google’s…

EU Regulation Sets Fines for AI Misuse A leaked draft of proposed EU regulations concerning artificial intelligence (AI) introduces significant penalties for misuse, potentially reaching up to €20 million or four percent of a company’s global turnover, whichever amount is greater. This regulation is expected to be officially announced on April 21st, as reported first…

ACLU Joins Call to Halt Clearview AI’s Use by Homeland Security The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has teamed up with over 50 advocacy organizations to urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cease the deployment of Clearview AI’s controversial facial recognition technology. In a letter directed to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, they articulated…

Generative artificial intelligence is being rapidly integrated across various sectors, from assisting consultants in diagnosing cancer to helping teachers with lesson plans, while also saturating social media with derivative content. However, a growing chorus of critics is questioning the real benefits that this technology can bring to the UK’s sluggish economy. A major concern remains…

Amazon Will Continue to Ban Police from Using Its Facial Recognition AI Amazon has decided to extend a previous ban on the use of its facial recognition technology for law enforcement purposes. The company’s Rekognition service is regarded as one of the most advanced facial recognition tools in existence. Last year, Amazon implemented a one-year…

Ethics & Society, Privacy, Voice Recognition McDonald’s Drive-Thru AI Bot May Have Violated Privacy Law Recently, McDonald’s announced that it is rolling out an AI chatbot to manage orders at its drive-thrus. However, this initiative may be in violation of privacy regulations. The chatbot is developed by Apprente, a voice recognition firm acquired by McDonald’s…

Reintroduction of Facial Recognition Legislation Receives Mixed Responses The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act has been reintroduced in the 117th Congress, stirring diverse reactions. Initially presented in 2020, this legislation was brought back on June 15, 2021, by Senator Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts). “We do not have to forgo privacy and justice for safety,”…

Microsoft and Universities Investigate Offensive AI Threats A research team comprising Microsoft experts and prominent universities has undertaken a comprehensive study examining the risks that offensive AI poses to organizations. While AIs serve as valuable tools, they also enable malicious actors to execute harmful actions more effectively. The research incorporated insights drawn from prior studies…

Experts Debate GitHub’s AI Tool and Copyright Concerns GitHub’s latest AI tool, Copilot, is generating considerable discussion within the tech community, attracting both acclaim and skepticism. This innovative code assistance tool leverages context from developers’ work to suggest entire lines or functions. OpenAI claims that Copilot’s capabilities significantly surpass those of GPT-3, potentially aiding even…