Klobuchar: OpenAI chaos signals need for regulation
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Senator Amy Klobuchar. Photo: Eric Lee/Axios
OpenAI's recent board drama shows regulators need to set rules of the road on artificial intelligence, Sen. Amy Klobuchar told Axios Pro's Ashley Gold during the Axios AI+ Summit Tuesday.
Why it matters: Few lawmakers have weighed in on what instability at the maker of the hugely popular ChatGPT means for the responsible and safe development of AI.
"I think it shows how fragile all of this is…there's also a need to have some guardrails because you never know at what moment who's going to be in charge of what, who's going to be making decisions about this incredibly powerful technology," Klobuchar said.
Zoom in: Klobuchar gave a nod to previous antitrust efforts that she said are "still relevant and maybe even more so" in the age of AI.
- The American Innovation and Choice Online Act would address the anticompetitive practice 0f "self-preferencing" that's exacerbated by AI because the technology makes it harder to know whose product is being unfairly promoted, Klobuchar said.
- The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, meanwhile, would compensate journalists for their work that feeds AI models.
Of note: Klobuchar said she is gathering input on a discussion draft bill on intellectual property and people's rights to own their images that she's working on with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, Thom Tillis and Chris Coons.
Klobuchar reflected on the "ferocious tech debates" around antitrust, during which millions of dollars were lobbied against her bills, saying of AI: "this time there is some legit meeting of the minds."
What's next: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will hold two more AI Insight Forums on intellectual property and defense issues.
- Eventually, legislation will be packaged, Klobuchar said, adding: "There may be some bills going off on their own just because we decide, boy, we have to get these done now."
- Klobuchar pointed to her efforts around AI in elections: "I think if there's one thing we better get done soon, I think it's that."
