Previously, I only understood AI from the perspective of using ChatGPT-4 to help with paper writing or advise on niche topics. I didn't fully realize how much impact AI was having on our society.
However, during the fall 2023 semester, I interned with the Media & Technology team at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. During this internship, I quickly learned that the impact of AI extends beyond academia to a variety of industries and government agencies. From September to December, I spent most of my time learning about the dual nature of AI. It's about how AI could augment humanity and pose risks if left unchecked, especially in areas far beyond my academic field.
We live in a society that increasingly relies on AI across industries, from healthcare to financial decision-making to public service delivery. A lack of regulation can introduce bias into these systems, an effect that is already occurring in industries such as lending and employment. .
a Research conducted by LendingTree When lenders used AI, the housing denial rate for Black Americans was 17.4%, more than double the 7.9% housing denial rate for non-Hispanic whites. moreover, Research conducted by Booking Institute We found that 55% of HR leaders use predictive algorithms in recruiting. However, these same types of algorithms have been shown to distinguish between: woman, people with disabilitiesand African American.
These studies show that the need for AI regulation is paramount, and the Connecticut General Assembly’s new bill, SB 2: AI Act, offers a three-pronged approach to addressing this issue. . A commitment to ethical governance, strengthening education and workforce development, and aligning with leading legislation.
Section 8 of SB 2 would create an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board to make recommendations on the ethical and fair use of artificial intelligence in state government, evaluate a “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights,” and advise on regulating the use of AI in the state. will be established. We recommend adopting the Connecticut AI Bill of Rights.
This section not only promotes the ethical development, procurement, and deployment of AI in Connecticut, but also addresses the biases that can be embedded within AI. These provisions allow Connecticut to promote responsible use of AI that equitably benefits society and alleviate some of the challenges. public concerns About this technology.
Additionally, as AI reshapes our economy, we must prepare our workforce for the future. The AI training provisions of this bill and the development of AI-based education programs by the Council for Higher Education and the Department of Economic and Regional Development are not only necessary, but essential to ensure that no citizen is left behind. According to research AI will create new skills and educational pathways, supporting many career paths. So, as our AI society continues to change, we must educate our labor market and prepare for the inevitable changes it will bring to Connecticut's hardworking families. SB 2 can address the urgent need for AI-based education programs to foster economic growth and prosperity by providing workers with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-driven future.
Additionally, there is no national AI development or deployment law that covers all the ways AI intersects and interacts with all sectors, making Connecticut a potential leader in AI regulation. The Biden administration isBlueprint for an AI Bill of Rights” envisions a future where we are protected from potential harm and reap the benefits of automated systems. However, these are just suggestions and are not enforceable laws. Therefore, if SB 2 passes, the state could set new policy trends on new issues, influencing other states and ultimately the national version of this bill and its contents. .
Countless evidence shows that AI can have negative effects, but if properly regulated, AI can serve as a tool that can help everyone reap its full benefits. SB 2 will have a significant positive impact on how states, developers, and employers interact with AI.
Together, we can build a state that protects the rights and well-being of its citizens and positions itself as a leader in the ethical implementation of AI.
Kelton Moorman is a Yale University Democrat.
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- AI has arrived. Connecticut is scrambling to set standards.