OpEd
John Bailey
Why the Veto of California Senate Bill 1047 ...

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent veto of California’s Senate Bill (SB) 1047, known as the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, reignited the debate about how best to regulate the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. Newsom’s veto illustrates a cautious approach to regulating a new technology and could pave the way for more pragmatic AI safety policies.

Why the Veto of California Senate Bill 1047 Could Lead to Safer AI Policies
John Bailey
The Deception Dilemma: When AI Misleads

An emerging body of research suggests that large language models (LLMs) can “deceive” humans by offering fabricated explanations for their behavior or concealing the truth of their actions from human users. The implications are worrisome, particularly because researchers do not fully understand why or when LLMs engage in this behavior.  

The Deception Dilemma: When AI Misleads
OpEd
John Bailey
Preserving Trust and Freedom in the Age of AI

I was excited to contribute to a group of over 20 prominent AI researchers, legal experts, and tech industry leaders from institutions including OpenAI, the Partnership on AI, Microsoft, the University of Oxford, a16z crypto, and MIT on a paper proposing "personhood credentials" (PHCs) as a potential solution to the growing challenge of AI-powered online deception. PHCs would provide a privacy-preserving way for individuals to verify their humanity online without disclosing personal information. While implementation details remain to be determined, the core concept warrants serious consideration from policymakers and tech leaders as AI capabilities rapidly advance, threatening to erode the trust and accountability essential for societies to function.

Preserving Trust and Freedom in the Age of AI
OpEd
John Bailey
Open AI Models: A Step Toward Innovation or a ...

The increasing capabilities of AI have sparked an important debate: Should the "weights" that define a model's intelligence be openly accessible or tightly controlled? This article dives deep into the arguments on both sides. Proponents say open-weight models accelerate innovation, enable greater scrutiny for safety, and democratize AI capabilities. Critics warn of risks like misuse for disinformation or military purposes by adversaries. The piece examines recent developments like frontier open-weight models from Meta and Mistral, Mark Zuckerberg's case for openness, concerns about China's AI ambitions, and the US government's cautious approach.

Open AI Models: A Step Toward Innovation or a Threat to Security?
OpEd
John Bailey
Charting a Bipartisan Course: The Senate’s ...

The recent AI policy roadmap from the bipartisan AI working group in Congress strikes a thoughtful balance between promoting AI innovation and addressing potential risks. It lays out a nuanced approach including increased AI safety efforts, crucial investments in domestic STEM talent, protections for children in the age of AI, and "grand challenge" programs to spur breakthroughs - all while avoiding hasty overregulation that could stifle progress

Charting a Bipartisan Course: The Senate’s Roadmap for AI Policy

Innovation

Why Arati Prabhakar is Uniquely Suited to Lead OSTP

Why Arati Prabhakar is Uniquely Suited to Lead OSTP

On September 22, the Senate confirmed Arati Prabhakar as White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) director, the first woman of color and immigrant to hold the position. Prabhakar is uniquely suited for navigating these challenges. She previously headed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. She held several roles in Silicon Valley, including with the early-stage venture firm US Venture Partners, and she recently founded the nonprofit Actuate, which seeks to bring new actors to the table in developing solutions for areas such as climate, health, and trustworthy data. She will be able to draw on that public and private sector experience to shape how agencies stand up these new programs and design the guidelines and rules for new funding streams.

Implementing Federal Innovation Programs: A Road Map for States

Implementing Federal Innovation Programs: A Road Map for States

An unexpectedly productive Congress has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which aim to improve America’s infrastructure, boost competitiveness with China, and accelerate new climate technologies. Attention now shifts to implementation. State and community leaders should begin work now to prepare for funding competitions on the horizon.

Congress Must Pass Innovation Legislation, Despite Hurdles

Congress Must Pass Innovation Legislation, Despite Hurdles

Senate leaders are expected to release updated text on a slimmed-down set of bills to bolster the US semiconductor chip industry. The measures will likely include $52 billion in subsidies and an investment tax credit to boost US manufacturing, but the rest of the Bipartisan Innovation Act (BIA) remains in limbo at a time when more urgent action is needed. Strengthening America’s leadership in science and innovation tomorrow will depend on three crucial areas of investments needed today in bolstering semiconductor manufacturing, boosting federal R&D, and addressing the talent gap.

American Space Achievements: Lessons from the Past Year

American Space Achievements: Lessons from the Past Year

The past year was filled with incredible technological breakthroughs and moments of inspiration. We should celebrate these achievements, but also use them as a call for continued action to strengthen the pipelines that enable innovation. Federal policymakers and regulators should double down on using public-private partnerships and creating more regulatory room to test and scale innovations. One important element of this work should involve reviewing existing regulatory processes that may need modernization.

Investing In Overlooked Entrepreneurs

Investing In Overlooked Entrepreneurs

The federal Opportunity Zone program offers the chance to invest in entrepreneurs in overlooked communities. A central animating theme of the American dream is that anyone with an idea can launch their own business. This entrepreneurial energy makes enormous contributions to society by addressing unmet needs, improving lives and solving pressing problems. These entrepreneurs also serve as an economic engine for communities by creating jobs that lift people out of poverty.

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Refreshed regulations may give Opportunity Zones new life

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Refreshed regulations may give Opportunity Zones new life

The Opportunity Zone program received a considerable boost last week with several announcements during a White House convening of mayors, state policymakers, investors, and community organizations. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin announced a second tranche of proposed regulations for the Opportunity Zone program, this time clarifying how Qualified Opportunity Funds can be used for business investment in struggling communities. He also announced a new process to explore reporting requirements. Additionally, HUD Secretary Ben Carson released the implementation plan for the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

Uber Shows How Companies Are Preparing For the Future of Work

Uber Shows How Companies Are Preparing For the Future of Work

Workers who participate in the “gig economy” do not neatly fit into traditional categories of full-time or part-time workers. Some workers use side gigs to supplement their income and enjoy the flexibility of working when it is most convenient for them. Others are using this type of work as their primary source of income, but lack the employer-provided benefits many full-time employees enjoy.

That is what makes last week’s announcement by Uber and Arizona State University so significant. The new partnership gives their drivers flexible education options with 100 percent tuition coverage.

The Other Challenge of Artificial Intelligence

The Other Challenge of Artificial Intelligence

By now, it is almost routine to see columns sounding the alarm about millions of existing jobs at risk of being automated. However, the real risk is that we do not have a system ready to equip people with the skills needed to fill millions of new and modified jobs that will result from the rise of AI.

Unleashing Entrepreneurial Energy to Transform Education

Unleashing Entrepreneurial Energy to Transform Education

This emerging generation of entrepreneurs is blurring the lines between purely social or business interests as demonstrated by the rise of Silicon Valley companies tackling societal challenges ranging from greentech to healthcare to education. These social entrepreneurs are often driven by a double bottom line of measuring success not just based on traditional business metrics but also social outcomes. Within this wave of social entrepreneurs are individuals launching ventures aimed at solving difficult challenges within our education system. They strive to address pain points and frustrations for teachers, improve the learning experience for students, offer parents new ways to help their child, or reimagine the way instruction can be delivered using games.

There are thousands of entrepreneurs just waiting to bring innovations to education. The question before us is if our nation will give them the opportunity to do so.

Aspen Institute Taskforce on Learning and the Internet: Learner at the Center of a Networked World

Aspen Institute Taskforce on Learning and the Internet: Learner at the Center of a Networked World

The Aspen Task Force on Learning and the Internet, with support and guidance from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, is a group of 20 innovative and respected minds in technology, public policy, education, business, privacy and safety. The Task Force’s goal was to understand the ways in which young people learn today and to optimize learning and innovation within a trusted environment.

Six Recommendations for Learning in the Digital Age

The 20-member task force, which includes three former Federal Communications Commission leaders, made six recommendations comprising 26 action steps for policymakers, education leaders and others in a report released on Tuesday, June 17. But the central idea of this report is that learning should revolve around the student, not the institution of school.