There was something missing in Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s Wall Street Journal op-ed about the perils of generative artificial intelligence. It included Americans’ skepticism about AI:
A recent Quinnipiac poll found that 55% of Americans think AI will do more harm than good, 70% think AI will lead to fewer jobs, and only 5% think AI development is being led by people and organizations that represent their interests.
It included an explanation for the skepticism:
The American people understand that AI and robotics will transform our world. They want to make certain that this technological revolution makes life better, not worse, for them and their families. They know that fundamental questions must be answered before we rush forward. They don’t trust the AI oligarchs.
and it included a proposal for slowing down the adoption of AI:
Congress must act. That is why I have introduced legislation, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to impose a federal moratorium on the construction of new AI data centers until strong national safeguards are in place.
Sen. Sanders is correct that there are substantial risks associated with the development of AI and even more to its adoption including the loss of jobs and increased income inequality. But recognizing risk does not make every proposed remedy effective.
The development of AI is not solely a U. S. phenomenon. Although the U. S. presently holds the leadership position in the race to develop AI, dozens of countries including China, France, and Japan have active AI development projects. What Sen. Sanders’s proposal doesn’t include is how he plans to prevent China from proceeding with the development of AI or stop American companies from using Chinese AI.
Given that omission Sen. Sanders’s proposal would less slow the development or adoption of AI than it would impede American control, capability, and leverage. It would have little impact on the loss of jobs due to AI. To whatever degree that will happen, it will happen.
A domestic moratorium in a competitive global technology race is not “slowing AI”. It is unilateral disarmament.
The prudent policy action is selective export controls and encouraging the construction of domestic data centers rather than discouraging them.
