On Tuesday, OpenAI endorsed three Senate bills that could shape the federal government’s stance on artificial intelligence. One of the bills – the Future of AI Innovation Act – would formally authorize the United States AI Safety Institute as a federal body that sets standards and guidelines for AI models.
Support for AI Safety Institute
“We have consistently supported the institute’s mission. Which leads the U.S. government’s efforts to ensure that frontier. AI systems are developed and deployed safely,” said Vice President of Global Affairs Anna Makanju in a LinkedIn post. Makanju says the bill provides Congressional backing for the new institute to “minimize the potential risks posed by this new technology.”
Additional AI Legislation Endorsed
OpenAI also endorsed the NSF AI Education Act and the CREATE AI Act. These bills provide federal scholarships for AI research and establish AI educational resources within colleges and K-12 settings.
Motivations Behind OpenAI’s Endorsements
So why is OpenAI, the startup behind ChatGPT, endorsing U.S. laws now? In her LinkedIn post, Makanju says that OpenAI believes. The government is vital in ensuring that AI is safe and accessible. But reading between the lines, OpenAI also leads the world on generative AI. The startup exploded to an $86 billion valuation thanks to its partnership with Microsoft and Apple. AI is a likely candidate to face regulatory scrutiny moving forward, so these endorsements help bank goodwill with federal lawmakers. More than that, endorsements like these help get a seat in future conversations about AI regulation.
Official Statements and Endorsements OpenAI
When asked for comment, an OpenAI spokesperson directed TechCrunch to Makanju’s LinkedIn post.
OpenAI Collaborative Efforts for AI Safety
On Monday, AI signed a letter to lawmakers supporting the AI Safety Institute alongside several large and small companies, including Microsoft, Meta, Palantir, Cohere, Amazon, and others. Under the Future of AI Innovation Act, the institute is supposed to work alongside private and public organizations to develop standards for AI systems.
Public Data Sets and Federal Collaboration OpenAI
The Future of AI Innovation Act also directs federal agencies to create curated datasets available for public use that are unlikely to be made by private companies.
OpenAI Strategic Timing of Endorsements
OpenAI’s timing is no coincidence; two bills are slated for consideration in an Executive Session on Wednesday morning. It’s part of the delicate dance OpenAI and other AI companies are playing to get on the good side of lawmakers. Who could one day decide their fate.
