5 Insights on the Future of AI Regulation Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA) is clearly excited about the future of AI, and his background illustrates his commitment: He is a computer engineer and video game developer – and the only member of Congress with a graduate degree in artificial intelligence. He's also the Co-Chair of the bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. Here are five key ways he said the federal government is approaching AI regulation: 1. Relying on Federal Agency Knowledge: Rep. Obernolte noted that sectoral regulators are best equipped to handle issues that arise in their areas of expertise. For example, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can assess AI risks when it comes to employment discrimination in hiring tools. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is best positioned to address AI risks related to workplace safety, such as how monitoring systems are used in manufacturing. His viewpoint: It’s better to teach the agencies about AI than to teach the AI sector about workplace anti-discrimination and safety compliance. 2. Taking a “Hub-and-Spoke” Approach: While a particular AI technology may be risky for one use, it may not be for another. The FDA, for example, oversees safety for medical devices. This is a high- risk area where an AI tool may have a different impact than a lower-risk area. For instance, a diagnosis tool may be fine for a workplace wellness app but not appropriate for diagnosing cancer. A hub-and-spoke model allows agencies (the spokes) to each take a different approach depending on how the technology is used. 3. Protecting People from Malicious AI Use: Law enforcement agencies need to have the tools to combat malicious use of AI in cyber fraud and theft. Rep. Obernolte pointed out that AI presents new ways to commit crimes, but we don’t need to make new laws about what’s illegal. Fraud and theft are already illegal, the shift is in how these crimes are being committed and how to protect people against them. 4. Avoiding a Patchwork of Laws: As more states consider AI legislation, we’re at risk of creating a Balkanized approach to regulation among the 50 states. Rep. Obernolte fears this would stifle innovation and entrepreneurship. “Congress needs to clarify where the interstate commerce guardrails are and where states are free to be the laboratories of democracy that they always have been,” he said. 5. Encouraging Bipartisan Support. AI regulation is not a partisan issue, and Congress is capable of taking swift action. The Congressman said he’s confident we will see bipartisan action and emphasized that his vision for AI regulation is to prevent malicious use while encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.
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