Navigating the AI Frontier and the Digital Deputization of the Technical Wild West
“Technical Wild West” is looking for Digital Deputization, Regulation, and Governance
As the world grapples with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), industry altering conversations and debates are emerging regarding how to navigate this transformative technology. Industry leaders like Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak (among others) have publicly called for a pause in training AI models with human intelligence after the release of GPT-4. That won’t happen because Big Tech is in the mist of an AI arms-race. So with the inevitability of this rapidly evolving landscape, world leaders, corporate executives, and industry giants are actively discussing the need for regulation, global governance, and internal restrictions to ensure responsible and secure AI development. These discussions shed light on the current state of affairs in the new age of the “Technical Wild West” and highlight the fascinating times we find ourselves in. How will your company adapt?
World leaders, including those at the G7 summit, are recognizing the urgency of regulating AI. As the impact grows across various sectors, concerns over privacy, ethics, and potential misuse have come to the forefront. The G7 leaders call for regulation signifies a global acknowledgment of the need to establish clear guidelines and frameworks to harness AI’s benefits while mitigating its risks. Collaboration among nations to develop international standards can facilitate responsible AI deployment on a global scale.
Corporate leaders, understanding the global nature of AI, are suggesting the formation of international governing bodies. These bodies could provide oversight, establish guidelines, and coordinate efforts to regulate AI usage across borders. Recognizing that AI development and deployment transcend national boundaries, a unified approach through international collaboration could ensure consistency, interoperability, and ethical practices in the evolving AI landscape.
However, it is fair to be skeptical of both of these approaches. I sincerely doubt overly bureaucratic governments will be able to stay ahead of this rapid innovation. At best, their attempt to regulate will introduce roadblocks for small/mid-size business while large enterprises skirt them easily. At worst, we see China’s approach to regulate generative AI requiring them to “reflect the core values of socialism” and most not “contain content on subversion of state power.” There also could be unintended consequences with corporate approach, as the participants would certainly have their own interests in mind as they establish the standards and regulations for the broader industry.
The Private and Public sectors are trying to figure out how to respond and adapt.
In the midst of AI’s rapid progress and this discussion of regulation, companies such as Apple have opted for internal restrictions on specific AI applications. Apple’s decision to restrict the usage of ChatGPT internally, citing concerns of intellectual property leakage, highlights the need for companies to address potential risks and protect their assets. This cautious approach underscores the importance of responsible AI implementation within organizations, balancing innovation with safeguards to protect sensitive information and maintain corporate integrity. Meanwhile, learning instantiations seem split on the usage of AI tools with some school districts like NYC Public Schools banning the use of ChatGPT in January, 2023, while Houston area schools are embracing the emerging technology. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out but count me as someone who believes this is a learning opportunity for our children and will be teaching my kids how to effectively use these tools.
The conversations around AI regulation, global governance, and internal restrictions demonstrate that we are indeed in an era of significant transformation. As AI technologies become more advanced and pervasive, it is crucial to strike a balance between innovation and accountability. Regulation can provide a framework to address ethical concerns, privacy issues, and potential risks associated with AI. Global governance bodies can facilitate cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and standardized practices across borders. Meanwhile, internal policies within companies emphasize the necessity of responsible AI usage to safeguard intellectual property and maintain trust.
How can Citanex help prepare your company for the emergence and integration of AI?
For companies considering the implementation of AI technologies, you need to ensure you have transparent policies focusing on responsible and ethical use. Some of these policies include Data Privacy Policy, Ethical Guidelines, Security and Risk Management Policy (and Procedures), Human Oversight and Decision-Making Policy, Compliance and Legal Policy, Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation Policy. These policies must be clear, updated, and trained regularly with mechanisms in place to ensure compliance, quality, and understanding. You need to make deliberate decisions on where to host and how to protect data processed in Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. These are areas Citanex can help evaluate, define, and monitor in partnership with your organization.
The world’s engagement with AI is entering uncharted territory. The calls for regulation by world leaders, proposals for international governing bodies by corporate leaders, and internal restrictions implemented by companies all reflect the evolving landscape and signal change is ahead. As we navigate this frontier, it is essential to embrace these discussions, collaborate both internally and internationally, and implement the controls to support and protect your business and your customers right now. Exciting times lie ahead as AI matures and becomes more ubiquitous, but it is imperative to keep it within your control as the landscape evolves.
