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

Broadband Provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Broadband Provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Broadband has become a fundamental enabling technology for nearly every aspect of our lives. It helps support online learning, remote work, telemedicine, and delivery of government services. In the same vein, the lack of access to affordable broadband creates enormous challenges for segments of the population that are unable to access crucial services to help them succeed in work and life. This report summaries the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act programs that will allocate more than $65 billion toward closing the digital divide.

COVID-19 Policy Update

COVID-19 Policy Update

The COVID-19 Policy Update is a daily digest of important stories, research, and resources to help leaders better understand the rapidly unfolding events related the coronavirus. Subscribers include state and federal policymakers, education executives, investors, and entrepreneurs. My hope is that these provide the information you need to better understand the emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities surfacing during the pandemic.

America’s public schools and non-profits will play a crucial role in resettling Afghan refugees

America’s public schools and non-profits will play a crucial role in resettling Afghan refugees

The U.S. government bears much of the responsibility for the unfolding refugee crisis. Schools must have the resources and support they need to help Afghan families resettle and adjust to their new homes. These families put their lives on the line to advance American interests in Afghanistan. Let’s honor that sacrifice by helping them rebuild their lives here in the U.S.

Education Recovery Benefits

Education Recovery Benefits

In a new report, I make the case for Governors using a portion of their $350 billion of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to provide direct support to low-income parents who faced economic hardship created by school closures and whose children need additional support for their academic recovery and well-being.

Rethinking Education Finance: The Risks and Opportunities of Emerging Models

Rethinking Education Finance: The Risks and Opportunities of Emerging Models

I authored a paper that lays out many critical issues and opportunities around the role technology plays in education finance. In particular, the paper looks at the labor market, new education and training models, and the use of alternative data in financing decisions.

Vaccinating America’s Children Depends on Parents, Not the FDA

Vaccinating America’s Children Depends on Parents, Not the FDA

The FDA’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds is an important step in the nation’s path toward herd immunity and for providing an additional layer of protection that will make it easier for teenagers to attend summer camp and in-person schooling in the fall. However, the greatest challenge to getting 17 million teens vaccinated may not be FDA approval but instead parental approval. The Kaiser Family Foundation’s Vaccine Monitor found only 3 in 10 parents say they will get their child vaccinated as soon as a vaccine is available. Nearly 25 percent will wait to see how it’s working, 18 percent will vaccinate only if their child’s school requires it, and 23 percent say they will definitely not get their child vaccinated.

Is it Safe to Reopen Schools? An Extensive Review of the Research

Is it Safe to Reopen Schools? An Extensive Review of the Research

A new report, Is it Safe to Reopen Schools? An Extensive Review of the Research, from the COVID Collaborative, United States of Care, the Walton Family Foundation, Opportunity Labs, CRPE's Evidence Project, and AEI summarizes more than 130 studies that show the physical, academic, and emotional toll of school closures will have a significant negative impact on children for decades to come. The report highlights key findings around risks for children, transmissibility concerns, and the impact of school reopenings on community spread — including a new analysis of data related to learning loss, student engagement, and absenteeism with a focus on the disproportionate harm on students of color.

Code for America: A Conversation on Leadership, Technology & Innovation in a Time of Transition

Code for America: A Conversation on Leadership, Technology & Innovation in a Time of Transition

Code for America’s Amanda Renteria and Ryan Ko engaged in a lively conversation with Tech Talent Project’s Cass Madison, Aspen Tech Policy Hub’s Betsey Cooper, and Walton Family Foundation advisor John Bailey. Our panelists shared their insights into the realities of technology hiring and procurement, the unique technical challenges facing President Biden’s administration, and their hopes for how government might better adapt policy implementation for the digital age.

CDC Adds to Growing Body of Research Showing How Schools Can Reopen

CDC Adds to Growing Body of Research Showing How Schools Can Reopen

It is very likely that we’ve overestimated the risk of sending children back into the classroom and underestimated the consequences of keeping them at home. It’s time to adapt our strategies to better reflect on the lessons learned over the last 10 months. It’s time to safely and responsibly give students the option of coming back to school.