Regulating AI Tools: What Governments Are Doing to Keep Up

From Australia to the United States, governments around the world are taking steps to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Rapid advancements in AI technology, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, have complicated efforts to create laws and guidelines for their use. Here’s a look at what countries are doing to regulate AI tools:

Australia Seeks Advice on How to Respond to AI

Australia’s government is seeking advice on how to respond to AI from the country’s main science advisory body. The government is considering next steps, according to a spokesperson for the industry and science minister.

Britain Plans to Split Responsibility for Governing AI

Britain announced in March that it plans to split responsibility for governing AI between regulators for human rights, health and safety, and competition, rather than creating a new body.

China Drafts Measures to Manage Generative AI Services

China’s cyberspace regulator unveiled draft measures on April 11 to manage generative AI services. The regulator wants firms to submit security assessments to authorities before launching AI offerings to the public. In February, Beijing’s economy and information technology bureau said it would support leading enterprises in building AI models that can challenge ChatGPT.

European Union to Introduce AI Act to Govern AI Use

EU lawmakers are discussing the introduction of the European Union AI Act, which will govern anyone who provides a product or service that uses AI. The act will cover systems that can generate output, such as content, predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing environments. Lawmakers have proposed classifying different AI tools according to their perceived level of risk, from low to unacceptable.

France Investigates Complaints about ChatGPT

France’s privacy watchdog, CNIL, said on April 11 that it was investigating several complaints about ChatGPT after the chatbox was temporarily banned in Italy over a suspected breach of privacy rules. In March, France’s National Assembly approved the use of AI video surveillance during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Italy Lifts Temporary Ban on OpenAI’s ChatGPT If Demands Met

Italy’s data protection agency imposed a temporary ban on OpenAI’s ChatGPT on March 31. The national data agency raised concerns over possible privacy violations and for failing to verify that users were aged 13 or above, as it had requested. On April 13, the agency set an end-April deadline for OpenAI to meet its demands on data protection and privacy before the service can be resumed in the country.

Japan Wants G7 to Discuss AI Technologies

Digital transformation minister Taro Kono said on April 10 that he wants the upcoming G7 digital ministers’ meeting, set for April 29-30, to discuss AI technologies, including ChatGPT, and issue a unified G7 message.

Spain Raises Privacy Concerns about ChatGPT

Spain’s data protection agency has asked the EU’s privacy watchdog to evaluate privacy concerns surrounding ChatGPT, the agency told Reuters on April 11.

US Seeks Public Comments on Accountability Measures for AI Systems

The Biden administration said on April 11 that it is seeking public comments on potential accountability measures for AI systems. President Joe Biden had earlier told science and technology advisers that AI could help address disease and climate change, but it was also important to address potential risks to society, national security, and the economy.

Final Thoughts

As governments around the world grapple with how to regulate AI, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has come under scrutiny in several countries for possible privacy violations. The push to regulate AI is driven by concerns over potential risks to society, national security, and the economy. As AI technology continues to advance, it will be crucial for governments to stay on top of the latest developments and create effective regulations to ensure AI is used responsibly.