By March 2023, The Wall Street Journal reports that, “Bill Gates said he believes artificial intelligence [AI] is the most revolutionary technology he has seen in decades, on par with computers, cell phones, and the internet.” According to Mr. Gates blog post, “The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet, and the mobile phone… Entire industries will reorient around it. Businesses will distinguish themselves by how well they use it.” Questions provided by developments in artificial intelligence raise many novel issues of law and problems that will soon need to be addressed by policy makers and courts. Early to recognize these challenges, Professor Lawrence Solum asked the question, “Could an artificial intelligence become a legal person?” Professors Felten, Raj, and Seamans write, “consumer adoption of generative AI tools has been rapid. For example, ChatGPT is the fastest growing consumer application in history, having reportedly reached 100 million active users within two months of its public launch.” By the end of March 2023, “More than 1,000 technology leaders and researchers, including Elon Musk, have urged artificial intelligence labs to pause development of the most advanced systems, warning in an open letter that A.I. tools present ‘profound risks to society and humanity.”’ The U.S. National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) warns, “America is not prepared to defend or compete in the AI era. This is the tough reality we must face. And it is this reality that demands comprehensive, whole-of-nation action.” Just like the compelling necessity to deal efficiently with cybersecurity threats, AI governmental crafted policy will require, “Committed partners in industry, academia, and civil society. And America needs to enlist its oldest allies and new partners to build a safer and freer world for the AI era.”Those readers new to this topic may be surprised to consider that machine learning and AI has been influencing our culture for several decades now. Prominent examples include consideration of user indicated preferences revealed in such applications as Facebook, Google, and Instagram. As a consumer searches for specific product information, like EV cars for example, the programs will “learn” from these inquiries and return future relevant information to the user. Other examples include those verbal questions asked of Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, or Google’s voice assistant applications. The self-driving function pioneered-by and available now on Tesla automobiles is another useful example of “machine learning” from a very large data set. The promise of AI’s beneficial impact is significant. For example, the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force (NAIRR) reports, “New AI and AI-driven discoveries and capabilities hold the potential to drive practical solutions to address critical global challenges such as food production, climate change, poverty, and cancer. We have only started to scratch the surface of what is possible, and cannot afford to miss out on seizing the opportunity for leveraging AI to serve the public good.”
