We’ve been using AI safely and responsibly for decades to navigate traffic, search the internet, undertake research, and discover new music. Today, we’re witnessing amazing breakthroughs that can transform industries and solve complex problems. AI is helping doctors diagnose illnesses faster and is accelerating the development of new medical treatments. AI is also being used to predict severe weather more accurately, protect critical infrastructure, and defend against cyber threats. It is driving innovation in renewable energy and resource management, so we can better take care of our planet. When guided by ethics, transparency, and fairness, responsible AI can spark creativity and lead us towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.
AI for America is a $25 million public affairs initiative to promote AI's current and future benefits and educate and inform Americans on how AI is already improving their lives, growing our economy, and keeping us safe.
TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore announced AI for America on MSNBC's Morning Joe.
Educating Lawmakers
TechNet brought together policymakers, deep subject matter experts, and industry leaders for an AI for America discussion on the positive impact AI is having and will have on all Americans from every walk of life.
Keynote: AI 101 with Douglas Eck, Senior Research Director, Google DeepMind
Remarks and Fireside Chat with Representative Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Carl Holshouser,
SVP, TechNet
Introductory Remarks from Linda Moore, President and CEO, TechNet
Discussion: AI and the Financial System with Brad Peterson, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology/Information Officer, Nasdaq, and Linda Moore, President and CEO, TechNet
Discussion: Driving Change: Founding an AI-Empowered Car-Sharing Enterprise with Sam Zaid, Founder and CEO, Getaround, and Carl Holshouser, SVP, TechNet
Panel: Unlocking the Potential of AI with Farah Akoum, Senior Director of Product, Zillow, Alon Amit, VP of Product Management, Intuit, Katia Mar, VP of Product Marketing, Onfido, Chris McNeilly, VP of Data Science, Chegg, Nathan Mondragon, Chief I/O Psychologist, HireVue, and Masumi Nakamura, VP of Engineering, Mercari
Panel: Smart U.S. AI Policy with Gabby D’Adamo, North American Government Relations Lead, Accenture, Heather Foster, Senior Director and Head of Global Public Policy, Lyft, and Hugh Gamble, VP of Federal Government Affairs, Salesforce
AI has the potential to help us solve the greatest challenges of our time from health care, agriculture, and education to transportation, energy, and national security. However, recognizing and addressing the genuine risks associated with AI is crucial for its responsible advancement.
CYBERSECURITY AND PRIVACY
Policymakers and AI developers must consider the cybersecurity and privacy implications of AI systems and work to ensure that everyone’s personal data is protected through the development of a federal privacy standard. If applied correctly, AI can help protect public and private institutions, Americans’ personal data, and our economy writ large from cybercriminals.
Automated tools are also being deployed to actively protect American devices from cybersecurity threats. AI can help keep cybercriminals at bay, automate threat detection, and respond more effectively than conventional software-driven or manual techniques.
HEALTHCARE
AI is an increasingly critical component of our healthcare ecosystem, and its potential applications are vast.
AI is being used to detect diseases, such as cancer, earlier and more accurately. It is streamlining drug research and discovery processes in ways that could significantly reduce drug costs and the time it takes to bring new drugs to market. For example, Moderna used AI to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, and researchers at MIT are using AI to develop antibiotics that could combat drug-resistant infections.
AGRICULTURE
AI is being used to enhance productivity, efficiency, and food security through more accurate yield predictions, pest and disease detection, food loss and waste reduction, and improved scale management strategies that assist farm, forest, and ranch managers in decision-making. There are over 200 AI-based agricultural startups in the U.S. alone, helping farmers decrease water consumption, improve food quality, and effectively manage pest control.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Through enhanced monitoring and optimization, AI can aid humans in predictive, proactive, and reactive action against climate change. AI is used to monitor and mitigate the current impacts of climate change more efficiently, and experts predict that AI could precipitate scientific breakthroughs to help combat climate change and global warming. Major utility providers are already using AI applications to optimize the electric grid by improving energy storage, efficiency, and load management, and assist in the integration and reliability of renewables. AI is helping to decrease auto emissions by increasing efficiency and optimizing the performance of shared, electric, and autonomous transportation.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
AI is making critical infrastructure systems more efficient, cost-effective, reliable, safe, and sustainable by delivering real-time analysis of complex data and proactively recognizing potential issues and areas for improvement. AI-powered monitoring systems can assist in the early detection and prevention of gas leaks, flooding risks, and breakdowns in transportation infrastructure. For example, as pressure increases on our water resources, AI can help reduce waste, improve water quality and wastewater management, and prevent water shortages by monitoring water supply and quality parameters while helping to optimize treatment processes.
IMPROVING EDUCATION OUTCOMES
AI tools are supporting our students and teachers in the classroom. AI algorithms can analyze student data and adapt to their learning styles, providing feedback and recommendations that are tailored to their individual needs and abilities. This can help to keep students engaged and motivated and can lead to improved academic performance.
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence was coined by Stanford Professor John McCarthy in 1955 and defined as “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.” AI has the potential to revolutionize how we live and work and has the potential to help us solve the greatest challenges of our time from health care, agriculture, and education to transportation, energy, and national security. AI offers us the opportunity to solve societal challenges and improve lives, help businesses of all sizes across all sectors of our economy grow and succeed, democratize and expand access to important services, and improve product innovation and security.
Responsible Development
AI systems must be designed, developed, and implemented responsibly in a way that contributes positively to society, maximizes economic opportunity, and allows the United States to maintain its global lead in innovation.
Like any other technology, AI is owned and controlled by people. The use of AI in furtherance of unlawful behavior is already prohibited and actionable under existing laws, even in the absence of AI-specific regulation. In developing AI regulations, the federal government should work in close collaboration with industry experts who possess deep knowledge of the use cases where AI technology is being deployed to minimize unintended consequences.
Any restrictions on automated decisions should be risk-based and focused on responding effectively to specific actual harms while allowing for advancements in technology and innovation.
Maximizing Economic Opportunity for All
AI is ushering in an age of accelerated productivity and greater prosperity. Maximizing that economic opportunity in a manner that benefits everyone will require a joint effort across every level of government, the private sector, and civil society to equip workers with the ability to harness AI-driven tools and mitigate displacement risks. This includes improving access to STEM education, expanding workforce retraining, increasing access to technology, and enacting responsible high-skilled immigration reforms.