Artificial Intelligence (Formerly Emerging Technologies) –
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is not a single, stand-alone industry but a broad set of applications fueling life-altering technologies like autonomous driving, remote surgery, and autonomous weapons systems. AI is “the theory and application of machines...to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.” AI’s strategic implications for global peace, stability, and prosperity have prompted prominent analysts to label it “the most powerful tool in generations.” The United States has a great interest in maintaining its innovative edge in the
development and deployment of AI.
Much like transformative technologies of the past, AI has the potential to richly benefit or decidedly harm humanity. AI does not have values, but its applications indisputably mirror the values of those that develop and deploy them, and two divergent models have emerged. In an authoritarian model purveyed by China, citizens possess little control over the collection and use of their personal data, states regularly surveil citizens’ movements and finances, militaries produce unregulated AI-powered autonomous weapons systems, and AI expands the reach of global disinformation. The United States and liberal allies strive for a dramatically different application of AI that respects the rule of law, human rights, and democratic values. To best leverage the profoundly transformative effects of AI and emerging technologies, deter common threats, create prosperity, ensure our innovative edge, and promote democratic liberal values, the United States, in concert with like-minded countries and global industry, must catalyze efforts to deploy values-based AI standards and strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration to accelerate innovation.
This paper proposes the following values-based policy recommendations, focused on increasing multilateral engagements and partnerships, and bolstering our domestic innovation base:
Challenge 1: While some governments have agreed to AI principles and standards, more cohesion, buy-in, and implementation is needed by a multi-stakeholder coalition. Recommendation: Accelerate efforts to establish a “Digital Coalition” of democratic states and the private sector to coordinate efforts on AI and other emerging technologies with broad participation.
Challenge 2: Lack of binding international standards on military applications of AI increases risk of rapid escalation to conflict. Recommendation: Draft and seek formal United Nations’ adoption of binding international treaties on the development and deployment of military applications of AI.
Challenge 3: Lack of global consensus regarding the rules for the collection, storage, and transfer of data across borders risks fractured and inefficient digital markets, which harm critical U.S. industries and infringe on individual rights. Recommendation: Prioritize new digital trade agreements to promote U.S. commitment to values-based leadership in concepts of flow of data with trust.
Challenge 4: The United States lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework for the ethical application of AI technology, and principles are largely shaped by private companies. Recommendation: Ensure a values-based regulatory framework for the use of AI-related
technologies.
Challenge 5: Federally funded basic and exploratory R&D levels are not sufficient to maintain our innovative edge. Recommendation: Fund and incentivize investment in AI-related R&D.
Challenge 6: The United States is vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and shortages in AI-related hardware. Recommendation: Deploy a coherent industrial strategy as part of the President’s American Jobs Plan, including prioritized manufacturing needs of the future U.S. economy and incentivizes private investment in cutting edge hardware and software solutions for AI.
Challenge 7: The United States’ human-capital base is not prepared or sufficiently empowered to meet the demands of a digital economy.
Recommendation: Strengthen, fund, and incentivize STEM education at all school levels and retraining initiatives.
Read the report →