TL;DR:
- Florida lawmakers are taking proactive steps to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2024.
- Open AI’s 10-second television script highlights AI’s transformative potential, ethical questions, and societal impact.
- AI’s growing presence in everyday technology and the need for governance are emphasized.
- Alan Crowetz, an internet and cybersecurity expert, sees AI’s current state as an “infant” with potential for both greatness and risks.
- Several Senate bills in Florida address AI advancements, reflecting concerns among experts.
- SB 850 focuses on AI in political advertising, requiring disclaimers for AI-generated content.
- SB 972 aims to create an AI advisory council for uniform statewide policies on AI use.
- These bills will be discussed during the 2024 legislative session starting on January 9.
Main AI News:
As the dawn of a new year approaches, Florida finds itself at the forefront of a pivotal discussion regarding the governance of an evolving technological frontier—Artificial Intelligence (AI). In a landscape where the true extent of AI’s capabilities remains shrouded in uncertainty, Florida lawmakers have taken proactive measures, filing a series of proposals aimed at taming the potential wild west of AI-generated content.
WINK News recently tasked Open AI with a succinct challenge: “Summarize artificial intelligence in a 10-second television script.” The response offered a tantalizing glimpse into the world of AI, encapsulating its transformative power and ethical implications: “AI, changing tomorrow, today. From self-driving cars to medical breakthroughs, the ethical questions, the societal impact. Artificial intelligence shaping our future.”
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI’s prowess. Beyond mere words, AI has demonstrated its capabilities in manipulating images and videos, ushering us into a realm where reality itself can be altered with astonishing ease.
In a world increasingly dominated by technological marvels like cell phones, laptops, and surveillance cameras, AI is emerging as a force to be reckoned with. Alan Crowetz, President and CEO of Info Stream and an esteemed internet and cybersecurity expert, draws a compelling analogy: “What we’re seeing now, again, is an infant. If we saw Michael Jordan as an infant, we’re not worried about playing basketball against him, but he’s going to turn into a superstar. That’s AI.”
Crowetz acknowledges that the current state of AI is already remarkable, yet he foresees a future that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. “So where this is going to be in five or 10 years from now is absolutely terrifying,” he warns. “It is stunningly good now, and if you give it a little bit of time, this thing is a real big deal.“
Florida’s legislative landscape is responding to these concerns with a series of Senate bills aimed at regulating the advancements in AI technology. The urgency stems from widespread apprehensions within the field. “Real experts are saying this could be really, really dangerous,” Crowetz remarks. “But again, even Elon Musk, who said this is a threat to humanity, is building an AI, so there are huge advantages and huge concerns with this.“
Among the proposed bills, SB 850 stands out for addressing AI in political advertising. If enacted, it would mandate that any political advertisement created with the aid of artificial intelligence must include a disclaimer. Crowetz elaborates, “These new regulations are designed to incur fines and punishments for people who break these rules,” adding, “So for the legit people, like a politician, or someone running for office, that works. Now, the scammers behind the scenes that use deep fakes and use AI, you know, they don’t care if there’s a punishment because you’re not going to catch them.”
Another bill in the spotlight, SB 972, seeks to establish an artificial intelligence advisory council tasked with formulating a uniform policy on public and private AI use at the state level. Crowetz encapsulates the essence of these endeavors, stating, “It’s changing the world, but that’s why we’re concerned about laws. We’re concerned about ethics. We’re concerned about the risk, but again, the positives are uncountable.”
As the Florida legislature convenes for its 2024 session on January 9th, these pivotal bills will take center stage in the ongoing debate over the regulation and ethical stewardship of artificial intelligence, shaping the future of AI governance in the Sunshine State.
Conclusion:
Florida’s proactive approach to regulating AI signifies recognition of its transformative power and potential risks. These legislative initiatives reflect the growing importance of ethical and practical governance in the evolving AI landscape, which can have significant implications for the market. Companies operating in AI and related fields should monitor these developments closely to ensure compliance and adapt to changing regulatory landscapes.
