Scaling Laws

Sayash Kapoor, co-author of 'AI Snake Oil', dives deep into the skepticism surrounding AGI claims and the complexities of AI adoption. He discusses how misaligned benchmarks fail to reflect real-world skills necessary in various sectors. Kapoor highlights the transformative potential of AI and the urgent need for informed policies amidst rapid militarization and evolving workforce dynamics. He advocates for regulatory humility, emphasizing that well-intentioned laws can have unexpected consequences. A nuanced understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations is essential for shaping its future.

Andrew Freedman, Chief Strategy Officer at Fathom, and Lauren Wagner from the Abundance Institute join the discussion on AI regulation. They delve into the urgent need for effective governance frameworks like California's Senate Bill 813. Topics include innovative approaches to AI safety, the significance of independent verification organizations, and the crucial role of public-private partnerships. The conversation also highlights challenges in regulatory implementation and the importance of collaboration to ensure accountability in AI technologies.

Join AI experts Janet Egan and Jessica Brandt, along with Neil Chilson and Tim Fist, as they dissect the newly released AI Action Plan. They discuss the interplay between innovation and risk management, emphasizing the need for streamlined regulations to foster AI adoption across various sectors. The conversation dives into cybersecurity challenges, the geopolitical implications of AI diplomacy, and the importance of developing a skilled workforce to support rapid technological advancements. Don't miss their insights on balancing national security with innovation!

Lt. Gen. (ret) Jack Shanahan joins Kevin Frazier to explore the nuanced landscape of AI in national security. Challenging the prevalent "AI arms race" narrative. The discussion delves into the complexities of AI integration in defense, the cultural shifts required within the Department of Defense, and the critical role of public trust and shared national vision. Tune in to understand how AI is reshaping military strategies and the broader implications for society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin Frazier brings Eugene Volokh, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and UCLA law professor, to explore the complexities of libel in the age of AI. Discover how AI-generated content challenges traditional legal frameworks and the implications for platforms under Section 230. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of AI and law. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cass Madison, Executive Director of the Center for Civic Futures, and Zach Boyd, Director of the AI Policy Office in Utah, discuss the challenges and strategies of state-level AI regulation. They dive into the complexities of AI governance, balancing innovation with consumer protection. The duo highlights Utah's proactive approaches, including the establishment of dedicated AI policy roles and efforts to recruit AI talent from the private sector. They emphasize the importance of public engagement and legislative input in shaping responsible AI initiatives.

Ethan Mollick, a Wharton Professor specializing in entrepreneurship and innovation, shares insights on the evolving landscape of AI. He discusses the bottlenecks in AI adoption, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly interfaces and empirical research. Mollick highlights AI's transformative potential in fields like education and medicine, while also addressing the challenges of cognitive de-skilling and the need for adaptive teaching methods. The conversation navigates the complexities of AI regulation, advocating for responsible implementation and ongoing research.

Adam Thierer, a senior fellow at the R Street Institute, and Helen Toner, director at Georgetown's CSET, delve into the recent Senate defeat of a proposed AI regulation moratorium. They discuss the complexities of legislative maneuvers, the fragmentation within the Republican party on tech policy, and the implications for future AI governance. The duo emphasizes the need for a coherent national dialogue on AI regulations while balancing innovation with safety, drawing parallels to past regulatory challenges.

Scaling Laws explores (and occasionally answers) the questions that keep OpenAI’s policy team up at night, the ones that motivate legislators to host hearings on AI and draft new AI bills, and the ones that are top of mind for tech-savvy law and policy students. Alan and Kevin dive into the intersection of AI, innovation policy, and the law through regular interviews with the folks deep in the weeds of developing, regulating, and adopting AI. They also provide regular rapid-response analysis of breaking AI governance news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would require ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns the popular social media app TikTok, to divest its ownership in the platform or face TikTok being banned in the United States. Although prospects for the bill in the Senate remain uncertain, President Biden has said he will sign the bill if it comes to his desk, and this is the most serious attempt yet to ban the controversial social media app.Today's podcast is the latest in a series of conversations we've had about TikTok. Matt Perault, the Director of the Center on Technology Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led a conversation with Alan Rozenshtein, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota and Senior Editor at Lawfare, and Ramya Krishnan, a Senior Staff Attorney at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. They talked about the First Amendment implications of a TikTok ban, whether it's a good idea as a policy matter, and how we should think about foreign ownership of platforms more generally.Disclaimer: Matt's center receives funding from foundations and tech companies, including funding from TikTok. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.