New public policy group forms to address AI risks

A U.S. advocate for civil rights affected by technology has created a new unit that will work on AI-related risks.

Executives with the Center for Democracy & Technology have formed the AI Governance Lab. Lab staff will work on ways to ameliorate risks and harms implicit in AI algorithms and how they are used.

Among the areas expected to be researched and packaged for national lawmakers will be AI auditing, bias mitigation and safety protocols. Funders of the lab include the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations and Siegel Family Endowment.

The center joins a growing roster of new nonprofits and think tanks in Washington focused on balancing AI’s growing capabilities with society’s growing need for protection from AIs. At the same time, the Screen Actors Guild is striking in large part to prevent studios from creating software versions of actors that will predictably perform for no compensation.

Miranda Bogen, a policy analyst and researcher, will be director. Kevin Bankston, a former executive with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, will be a senior advisor.

In a prepared statement, Bogen said, “the AI Governance Lab will focus on practical solutions that policymakers and industry can apply to center the rights of those most at risk of harm by AI systems.”

Article Topics

AI  |  AI Governance Lab  |  biometrics  |  Center for Democracy & Technology  |  facial recognition