Recently, the legislative discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S. Congress has been heating up. As a leading industry player, OpenAI has actively supported several bills. Just this Tuesday, OpenAI announced its formal support for three Senate bills, which could significantly influence federal government policies in the AI sector.
One of these bills, known as the "Future of AI Innovation Act," will establish the U.S. AI Safety Institute, a federal agency tasked with setting standards and guidelines for AI models.
Anna Makanju, Vice President of Global Affairs at OpenAI, stated on LinkedIn: "We have consistently supported the mission of this institute, which leads the U.S. government's efforts to ensure the safe development and deployment of cutting-edge AI systems." She noted that the bill provides congressional support for the new institute to minimize the risks posed by new technologies.
In addition to the "Future of AI Innovation Act," OpenAI also supports the "National Science Foundation AI Education Act" and the "Creating AI Act." These bills provide federal scholarships for AI research and establish AI educational resources within university and K-12 education systems.
Why has OpenAI chosen to support these bills at this time? In her post, Makanju mentioned that OpenAI believes the government plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and accessibility of AI. However, on a deeper level, OpenAI is currently in a rapid growth phase, with its valuation soaring to $86 billion, thanks to partnerships with Microsoft and Apple. In the future, the company may face more regulatory scrutiny. Therefore, expressing support for these bills now can not only win over federal legislators but also ensure a voice in future AI regulatory discussions.
On Monday, OpenAI also joined Microsoft, Meta, Palantir, Cohere, Amazon, and other large and small companies in signing a letter supporting the AI Safety Institute. Under the "Future of AI Innovation Act," this institute will collaborate with public and private organizations to develop standards for AI systems. Additionally, the bill requires federal agencies to create curated datasets available to the public, which private companies are unlikely to produce.
OpenAI's stance at this moment is not coincidental. The two bills are scheduled for an executive meeting on Wednesday morning, highlighting OpenAI's and other AI companies' strategic efforts to win over legislators for their support.
Key Points:
🌟 OpenAI formally supports three Senate bills, aiming to influence U.S. AI policies.
📚 The Future of AI Innovation Act will establish the U.S. AI Safety Institute, promoting the development of AI safety standards.
🤝 OpenAI is proactively building relationships with legislators through supporting these bills, preparing for future regulatory challenges.