Axios Event: Calls for AI regulation grow amid rise in harmful online content

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Public trust in AI is sinking while regulators grapple with urgent calls for oversight over the harms of the rapidly growing technology.

• Axios Pro tech policy reporters Maria Curi and Ashley Gold moderated conversations with Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), White House OSTP chief of staff Asad Ramzanali and Center for Democracy & Technology CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens at an event on Sept. 26, which was sponsored by Fathom.

Why it matters: The proliferation of AI-generated content depicting sexual abuse online has left lawmakers, tech platforms and parents searching for urgent solutions to the issue.

What they're saying: "I think [the public's] a little frustrated that Congress has been so slow," Hickenlooper said of the public's current view on AI.

The rise in AI-generated non-consensual intimate imagery has garnered a lot of recent attention. Reeves Givens said it's an area her organization is really focused on.

• "We're seeing a significant uptick in teenagers doing this to one another," said Reeves Givens.

Ramzanali said that harm to women, girls and queer people online is the place where the administration has seen the most acceleration.

• Ramzanali is "hopeful" about the voluntary commitments recently made by tech companies to the Biden administration to combat online sexual abuse material.
• "Voluntary commitments are something where we can move quickly to solve a problem that we see in the real world, but it doesn't have the force of law," said Ramzanali.

Hickenlooper explained that attempts to regulate AI in Congress have been difficult as AI technology moves rapidly, saying that they "haven't been able to get out ahead of it."

• "There are a whole number of bills now that are bubbling up that are addressing issues around AI. I feel let's call it a 'fierce urgency' that we have to get transparency," Hickenlooper said.

Sponsored content:

In a View From the Top sponsored segment, Fathom chief strategic officer Andrew Freedman emphasized that AI regulation is going to be difficult, and will require different solutions as the technology continues to evolve for years to come.

• "We believe not only is AI policymaking going to be hard, it's going to be hard a lot of times," Freedman said.
• "What we legislate, regulate, self-regulate one year might be totally wrong and we're going to have to switch it for the next iteration of technology," he continued.