U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says legislators are working to develop regulations on the rapidly growing artificial intelligence (AI) field as millions of Americans begin to adopt the revolutionary new technology into their day-to-day lives. Last month, Grassley participated in the third of several planned Senate-wide briefings on the issue. Implying these programs have “intelligence” is somewhat inaccurate, as they are not self-aware and cannot function without human input. However, many Americans have expressed concern over national security, privacy, and the plethora of other issues that AI-use presents. Grassley does not outright oppose government oversight, but he is hesitant to impose restrictions that might limit a revolutionary new field.
The leading AI system, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has already made its way into millions of homes, offices, and personal devices, with over 100 million users per day worldwide and growing. AI programs are surprisingly adept at completing all sorts of communication-based work, be it writing emails or creating meal plans, and it does not appear AI systems will be going anywhere anytime soon. Grassley says the Senate does not seem keen on moving AI-related legislation in the near future.
Grassley made his comments on Aug. 1 during his weekly Capitol Hill Report.
