Note 1: I’ll get back to the creativity, and “begin” stuff next week. This topic feels a little more urgent
Note 2: Lets connect if you have ideas for getting some sort of organization started in MN
Like everybody that is paying attention, I was a little shocked by the recent proclamations by AI researchers that AI will destroy humanity. Mainly, this time, because the call was coming from inside the house (An ex-Anthropic researcher).
But the Doomers have been talking about this possibility since the 2010’s. Others have been talking about it a lot longer.
Why haven’t most people been listening?
Well, because for one thing, we’ve got Trump in the top spot. The most conflicted president we’ve ever had. He and his family are making boatloads while the AI boom unfolds. Its only on his agenda now because it’s in the news. Meanwhile, you think he even knows how to turn on his phone?
Its time to regulate.
Even the AI companies are calling for reasonable measures.
The think tanks are asking for it, including those hard-core lefties (Ha!) at Brookings.
Kidding aside, this report from CSIS (The Center for Strategic and International Studies) does a nice job of laying out the argument that the U.S. still lacks any exportable domestic AI regulatory framework, while China is now drafting a comprehensive AI law specifically to strengthen its diplomatic hand.
No One is Coming to Save Us (the citizens)
The current administration’s Pax Silica conference (yes, it’s really called that) is more focused on an industrial policy towards AI than looking for ways to protect citizens.
The Thune/Klobuchar bill isn’t moving in the senate.
Johnson sent everyone home in the house for a recess rather than vote on the AI bill. And, he doesn’t seem to be worried:
This is the time for us citizens to (finally) work together. Its time for some sort of grass-roots to make our elected officials take seriously the urgency of the AI-related issues (data center regulation, energy rate management, fundamental legislation on AI safety, and more).
And, it might be time for a good-faith, active educational effort to get fair-minded citizens up to speed on what’s coming (or is already here).
If you have Netflix, check out the movie The AI Doc. It might seem overblown, but I don’t think it is.
Who is Already Working on This?
There’s a growing pushback on Data Centers nationally and here in Minnesota. It seems to be happening at a grass-roots level. But, beyond the data center issues, what civic-organized groups are working on AI-related policy in Minnesota?
Maybe we need a citizens-advocacy group here in our own backyard?
Shoot me a message here or on Linkedin with any suggestions for local groups to get behind. Note: I’m not interested in some of the fringe-y national groups.