Vice President Harris convened a meeting on Wednesday with advocates from civil rights and consumer protection organizations to discuss the potential hazards associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. "The issue is complex and multifaceted, and with the speed at which this technology is advancing, it's crucial that we understand the implications," Harris expressed before the meeting.
She further stressed the necessity to approach the issue urgently and collaboratively involving a spectrum of sectors including private, public, nonprofits, and government. "Our goal is to act in the best interest of the health, safety, and overall well-being of our citizens," she added.
The gathering included various notable figures such as Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), Janet Murguia, President and CEO of UnidosUS, Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, and Liz Shuler, President of AFL-CIO.
The intention of the discussion was to address the broad spectrum of AI's impacts, focusing on risks to vulnerable segments of the population, like seniors who could fall prey to AI-generated scams. It also aimed to address potential discriminatory practices stemming from AI tools used in employment processes.
In her address, Harris emphasized a central principle for the administration: the rejection of the "false choice" that proposes the U.S. must choose between promoting innovation and protecting consumers. "We can achieve both," she asserted.
"Innovation harbors immense potential for enhancing the quality of human life, and we should advocate for it," she said. "But in doing so, we must ensure that we don't inhibit innovation that can improve people's lives, nor should we allow it to infringe upon their rights," she added.
This meeting took place following a conversation Harris led in May, involving President Biden and executives of leading AI development companies. Additionally, it occurred just a day after the Senate's first-ever classified briefing on AI, attended by prominent intelligence and defense officials. Although the briefing stirred increased concern among Senators about AI's risks, a definitive legislative plan for regulating the technology is yet to be drawn.