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In a significant development at the Mobile World Congress tech trade show in Barcelona, Spain, Paula Goldman, Chief Ethical and Humane Use Officer at Salesforce, expressed optimism regarding the imminent enactment of new laws to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States.
Goldman’s remarks to CNBC underscored a growing momentum within the U.S. Congress towards implementing concrete AI regulations, with federal legislation on the horizon. She emphasized that the need for regulatory guardrails has transcended partisan lines, becoming a bipartisan imperative among lawmakers. Additionally, Goldman pointed to ongoing efforts at the state level to craft AI laws, highlighting the importance of cohesive national standards.
“It’s very important to ensure U.S. lawmakers can agree on AI laws and work to pass them soon,” remarked Goldman, emphasizing the significance of aligning domestic regulations with international frameworks such as the EU AI Act and initiatives in the United Kingdom.
Concerned about the potential fragmentation resulting from state-level legislation, Goldman stressed the urgency of establishing federal guidelines to provide uniformity and coherence in AI governance across the country.
Goldman’s involvement in the U.S. National AI Advisory Committee, which advises the Biden administration on AI-related matters, positions her at the forefront of shaping responsible AI practices. She leads Salesforce’s efforts in promoting the ethical use of technology, particularly AI-powered tools like facial recognition.
Salesforce itself has a stake in the AI landscape, having launched its Einstein product—an integrated suite of AI tools tailored for the Customer Relationship Management platform—in September. Einstein, akin to OpenAI’s ChatGPT but geared towards enterprise applications, represents Salesforce’s commitment to leveraging AI responsibly within its ecosystem.
While several AI-related bills are currently under consideration in Congress, including the REAL Political Advertisements Act and the AI Labeling Act, there remains a notable absence of comprehensive federal regulation solely focused on AI. Calls for such legislation have intensified with the emergence of advanced generative AI technologies like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini, which can produce human-like text-based responses.
In October, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on AI, signaling the administration’s commitment to establishing a coordinated federal approach to the responsible development and deployment of AI technology.
As discussions around AI regulation gain traction, Goldman’s optimism reflects a growing recognition of the need for proactive governance to ensure the ethical and equitable use of AI in society and business. With the convergence of bipartisan support and industry engagement, the path towards comprehensive AI regulation in the United States appears increasingly promising.