The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Archive: AI Policy Under Technological Uncertainty, with Alex “amac” Macgillivray
5 snips
Jul 26, 2025 
In this discussion, Alexander "amac" Macgillivray, former Principle Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the U.S., delves into navigating AI policy amidst rapid technological changes. He explores the White House's AI action plan, the complexities of regulating AI, and the crucial role of tech experts in governance. Macgillivray addresses the interplay between public and private sector missions, the challenges of clear communication in AI predictions, and the implications of the AI Bill of Rights for competition and innovation. He concludes with thoughts on the evolving landscape of AI.
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CTO Role Experience
- Alexander Macgillivray described the CTO role as the best job in US government.
- He highlighted its mix of policy influence and tech-driven government improvement.
Transparency in AI Assumptions
- Many AI policy talks ignore differing assumptions and uncertainty about AI's future progress.
- Being transparent about what we do and don't know encourages better conversations.
Regulate Now, Adapt Later
- Regulate known harms now while building flexible policies for uncertain AI futures.
- Use meta-regulation like transparency to adapt as AI capabilities evolve.
