How one doctor-turned-lawmaker wants to regulate AI
Oct 22, 2024
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Ami Bera, a former physician turned Congressman from California, discusses the urgent need for AI regulations in healthcare. He emphasizes patient safety and privacy while advocating for international cooperation among lawmakers. The conversation touches on the challenges in regulating generative AI and the potential impacts of the upcoming elections on tech legislation. Bera also highlights how AI could either enhance or threaten the doctor-patient relationship as the healthcare landscape evolves.
Rep. Ami Bera emphasizes the necessity for updated regulatory frameworks in healthcare to address the evolving challenges posed by generative AI technologies.
International collaboration is crucial for establishing comprehensive AI regulations that can effectively distinguish between beneficial and harmful applications.
Deep dives
Bipartisan AI Regulations on the Horizon
House lawmakers are anticipated to introduce a bipartisan wishlist for AI regulations after the upcoming Election Day. Negotiations are ongoing within House and Senate leadership regarding a potential AI law, aimed for passage before the end of the year. However, there are doubts about the feasibility of this timeline, as AI is a multifaceted issue that leaves some lawmakers hesitant to enact prompt legislation. With Congress facing various urgent priorities and the uncertain control of both chambers, the future of AI regulation remains a complex question.
Healthcare and AI: Regulation Challenges
The interplay between AI and healthcare has sparked significant discussions around regulatory frameworks. One major concern highlighted is whether existing regulatory bodies, like the FDA, are equipped to handle the evolving nature of generative AI technology, which continuously learns and adapts over time. Insights gathered from healthcare providers indicate a need for modernized oversight mechanisms that both safeguard patient safety and foster innovation in treatment practices. As many health systems are currently collaborative, sharing algorithms and data to improve outcomes, the potential for economic competition may soon challenge this openness.
The Need for Global Cooperation on AI Risks
There is a pressing need for international collaboration in establishing comprehensive guidelines for AI to mitigate its misuse by bad actors. The discussion emphasizes the importance of creating global rules to differentiate beneficial uses of AI from harmful ones, particularly in areas like biothreats and manipulation of genetic technologies. While there is acknowledgment of the difficulty in reaching agreements among numerous countries, starting with like-valued allies could pave the way for joint efforts on the common good. The hope is to facilitate constructive dialogue on AI regulation without impeding competition or innovation across different nations.
A House task force is expected to roll out a bipartisan wish list for AI regulations by year’s end and Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) is one of the lawmakers shaping that agenda. A physician prior to entering Congress, Bera is particularly focused on questions that AI raises about the future of health care. POLITICO Tech host Steven Overly sat down with Bera on the sidelines of the Meridian Summit to discuss where new rules are needed most and whether the election outcome will impact how Congress acts.