Raising the Alarm to Congress: The Crucial Need for the Immediate Implementation of the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 to Safeguard American Jobs and Well-being
Introduction
In the wake of the Biden-Harris Administration's Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, there's a pressing call to action for immediate legislative steps. This move underscores a pivotal moment in the responsible evolution of AI technologies and their impact on the American workforce. The proposed Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 stands as a critical measure to safeguard American lives in the face of this technological revolution.
Congressional Support for Workforce Development
In response to the transformative challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI), a significant group of U.S. Congress members has rallied together to underscore the urgency of navigating AI's impact on the American workforce. They have sent a joint letter to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Mrs. Arati Prabhakar. The letter expresses support and seeks additional information about the implementation of workforce development efforts related to AI, as outlined by an Executive Order.
The signatories of this document include the following members of the United States Congress: Haley M. Stevens, Derek Kilmer, Steven Horsford, Joe Courtney, Susan Wild, Gerald E. Connolly, Donald Norcross, Deborah K. Ross, Darren Soto, Ann McLane Kuster (Chair of the New Democrat Coalition), Susie Lee, Kim Schrier, M.D., David J. Trone, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Donald G. Davis, Frank J. Mrvan, Bradley Scott Schneider, Brittany Pettersen, Lori Trahan, Rick Larsen, Donald S. Beyer Jr., Jennifer Wexton, Ami Bera, M.D., Yadira Caraveo, M.D., Shri Thanedar, Jim Himes, Colin Z. Allred, Jennifer L. McClellan, Patrick K. Ryan, Marc A. Veasey, Valerie P. Foushee, Seth Moulton, Bill Foster, Kathy Manning, Marilyn Strickland, Glenn Ivey, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, J. Luis Correa, Nikema Williams, and Sara Jacobs.
These lawmakers are calling attention to the necessity of safeguarding American jobs and lives against the rapid advancements in AI technology. Their collective endorsement of the letter highlights a broad congressional awareness and concern for the future of work in the AI era, emphasizing the critical need for a strategic, informed response to ensure a secure, prosperous future for all Americans. This concerted action demonstrates a proactive stance in shaping the path forward in the face of AI's evolving landscape, urging for the implementation of comprehensive legislative measures through the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024.
The Potential Devastating Impacts of AI Innovations Like “Sora” on the Workforce and Society
OpenAI has unveiled "Sora," a groundbreaking tool that can generate video footage directly from textual descriptions, showcasing the swift pace of innovation in artificial intelligence. Sora represents a significant leap forward, illustrating how AI has the potential to transform industries and reshape employment practices. With its advanced technology, Sora blurs the line between the digital and the real, enabling creators to bring vivid, imagined scenarios to life with unprecedented ease and precision. This development highlights the pressing need for adaptive policies and programs to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by such revolutionary AI tools. Notably, Sora has already been developed and could be made available to the public at any moment. This underscores the immediacy with which the government needs to establish a review process for such tools. The focus should be on the impact these tools could have on the American workforce.
Below is an example of Sora's capabilities, which can generate high-definition AI content. By entering the following words into a program, Sora creates content:
“A movie trailer featuring the adventures of a 30-year-old spaceman wearing a red wool knitted motorcycle helmet, set against a blue sky and salt desert, in cinematic style, shot on 35mm film, with vivid colors.”
Similar to tools like Sora, by OpenAI, Google has announced the imminent launch of a similar tool named Vertex AI, which can also create footage from text. Additionally, Google has updated Gemini and Gemma within Vertex AI and introduced Imagen, a text-to-live-image generator. An example of what this technology is capable of doing is shown below.
Recent news articles, as seen below, highlight the rapid deployment potential of technologies from top US tech companies, underscoring the urgency for the government to develop regulatory frameworks. Such frameworks are needed to assess their impact on the workforce, a step countries like India have already taken. The United States appears to have fallen behind in adopting a proactive approach to this matter, unlike Europe with its AI Act, and more recently, Singapore and more specifically India, which are taking quicker initiatives to review such technologies to maintain a leading position on the world stage.
The Immediate Need for Legislative Action
Reflecting on insights from AI experts and data analytics, the discussion brings to light the monumental opportunities and significant challenges presented by AI and automation. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva, AI is poised to impact roughly 40% of global employment, signaling a transformative shift in the workforce landscape. This stark projection underscores the dire need for the
Immediate Enactment of the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024
Such legislative action is crucial to mitigate potential job displacements and ensure a secure future for workers worldwide, demonstrating a proactive approach to the inevitable integration of AI into various sectors.
The Urgency of Upskilling and Reskilling
Collaborative efforts between federal agencies, including the Department of Labor, National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, are highlighted. The emphasis is on leveraging AI and machine learning technologies through comprehensive reskilling and upskilling programs. These initiatives aim to cultivate a diverse and highly skilled AI workforce equipped to navigate future challenges and seize emerging opportunities.
Addressing Alarming Business Automation Trends
The examination of current trends reveals a growing inclination among small to medium-sized businesses to embrace automation for efficiency gains and cost savings. Some of these AI tools are available for as little as $20/month, such as ChatGPT by OpenAI, and possess the capabilities to replace staff members who command six-figure salaries annually, for example. This movement towards automating processes and tasks, driven by the desire to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs, presents significant challenges to the global workforce.
The potential for substantial job displacement looms large, underscoring the urgency of legislative oversight and intervention. It's imperative that policies are developed and implemented to navigate these challenges, ensuring that the transition towards a more automated economy does not leave workers behind but rather includes provisions for retraining, upskilling, and protecting the livelihoods of those impacted. This approach is crucial in managing the risks associated with workforce displacement and in harnessing the benefits of automation for the broader economy.
The Role of AI in Future Employment
Exploring the dual nature of technological progress, particularly through AI innovations such as "Sora" and ChatGPT, it's evident that these advancements hold immense potential for innovation, efficiency, and the creation of new markets. However, alongside these opportunities, there lies a significant threat to traditional jobs, especially within creative sectors and others that have historically relied on human intellect and creativity. AI's ability to perform complex tasks, from generating written content to producing sophisticated video content, underscores a pivotal moment in the evolution of work.
The need for legislative oversight becomes increasingly urgent in this context. To harness the benefits of AI while safeguarding jobs, it's essential to implement policies that foster innovation and simultaneously protect the workforce from the disruptive effects of automation. Strategies could encompass retraining programs, assistance for transitions into new roles within the digital economy, and the encouragement of job creation that utilizes the capabilities of AI, including sectors like renewable energies. Achieving a balance that allows society to benefit from AI innovations, while also ensuring job security and growth, is crucial. This approach will be instrumental in navigating the future of employment in an era dominated by AI, aiming for a workforce that adapts and thrives alongside technological advancements.
Urging Comprehensive Legislative Measures
In the swiftly changing landscape of artificial intelligence, the call for regulatory oversight is both urgent and paramount. The complexities and rapid advancements in AI underscore the critical need for immediate action by Congress. It is imperative to swiftly enact the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024, a legislative move that promises not only to undertake a comprehensive analysis of AI's vast impacts but also to put in place the essential safeguards needed to navigate this new frontier responsibly.
This legislation aims to address the multifaceted challenges posed by AI, from ethical considerations and privacy concerns to the potential for job displacement and societal inequalities. By instituting robust regulatory frameworks and oversight mechanisms, the Act seeks to ensure that AI development and deployment occur in a manner that prioritizes human welfare, economic stability, and national security.
The enactment of the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 is a crucial step toward mitigating risks and maximizing the benefits of AI technologies for society at large. It represents a proactive approach to shaping a future where AI serves as a force for good, enhancing the quality of life, driving innovation, and fostering a more equitable and sustainable world. The time for Congress to act is now, to set the foundation for a future that harnesses the power of AI while safeguarding against its potential perils.
The Advent of Job Automation and AI Agents
The McKinsey Research Institute's report released on June 14th 2023 has thrown light on a significant shift towards job automation, a trend that gained even more attention with the subsequent announcement of ChatGPT plugins, called ChatGPTs, in November 2023. These plugins, designed to craft customized solutions across diverse sectors, promise to automate a wide array of manual tasks currently reliant on human effort. In tandem, the emergence of “AI agents” capable of assuming control over computers to execute tasks traditionally performed by people in desk jobs, signals a potential paradigm shift in the workforce landscape possibly impacting millions of jobs.
Below is a compelling demonstration of what an AI agent can achieve. With just a single line of code input into a program, users can command their computer to perform a variety of tasks, such as launching applications autonomously. Impressively, this process even includes visual cues like the cursor moving across the screen by itself. This advancement raises pivotal questions about the evolution of technology careers, shifting towards roles focused on AI implementation and the utilization of AI-powered tools and solutions. Given this technology's capacity to automate traditional desk job functions, there's a growing possibility that such positions could become obsolete, replaced by the efficiencies offered by AI.
Socio-Economic Implications and the Need for Proactive Measures
The rapid automation of jobs, as detailed by recent technological advancements, harbors significant socio-economic implications. Concerns are not limited to mere job displacement but extend to the loss of income, healthcare, and housing for millions, potentially destabilizing the economy. The domino effect of such disruptions could result in increased social tensions as affected individuals and communities seek to attribute blame. The risk of social unrest becomes palpable, with the potential for widespread demonstrations and opposition against perceived inequalities fostered by the technological displacement. This threat becomes even more severe in light of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees the right to bear arms. The combination of economic destabilization and widespread access to firearms could exacerbate the potential for violent outcomes, underscoring the urgency for proactive measures to mitigate the societal impact of job automation.
Moreover, the specter of homelessness looms large, particularly in major American cities, where displaced workers might find themselves without a safety net. This scenario, coupled with the aforementioned risks, highlights the critical need for proactive measures to mitigate the fallout from technological progress. Initiatives might include comprehensive re-skilling programs aimed at equipping the workforce with the tools necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. Additionally, policy interventions are required to ensure that the benefits of AI and automation are distributed equitably, thereby preventing a scenario where the gap between the technological haves and have-nots widens irreversibly. Such measures are essential not only for preventing job losses but also for averting social unrest that could arise from mass displacements.
In essence, while the advent of AI agents and automation technologies signals a new era of efficiency and potential economic growth, it also underscores the urgent need for a balanced approach. This approach must prioritize human welfare and economic stability, ensuring that technological progress does not come at the expense of social cohesion, employment security, and public peace.
“We stand at a crucial juncture,”
states Kevin Bihan-Poudec,
"where decisions made today will shape the future of our society. It's imperative that we act now to prevent irreversible job losses and mitigate the risk of social unrest."
This initiative not only aims to protect the American workforce but also to ensure that the U.S. economy remains stable and resilient in the face of technological advancements.
The Voice for Change Foundation calls on all stakeholders—legislators, businesses, and the public, using #VoiceForChange on social media, to engage in this vital conversation and support legislative efforts to manage the growth of AI responsibly. By taking action now, we can harness the transformative power of AI for the greater good, ensuring a future where technology and humanity thrive together.
About the Voice for Change Foundation
The Voice for Change Foundation is committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that address the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies. Founded by Kevin Bihan-Poudec, the foundation seeks to promote a sustainable and equitable future for all.
For further information, please contact:
Kevin Bihan-Poudec
Founder | Voice for Change Foundation
Email: info@voiceforchangefoundation.org
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Legislators
In light of the rapid advancements in AI and automation technologies, it is critical that our legislative bodies act with urgency. The discussions and insights provided herein not only emphasize the transformative impact of AI on our economy and workforce but also the potential risks that accompany unchecked development. Our lawmakers must rise to the occasion by enacting the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 with no further delays. This crucial legislation will serve as a foundational pillar to mitigate job displacements and navigate the ethical challenges posed by AI. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the integration of these technologies into society is conducted thoughtfully and responsibly, with a steadfast commitment to upholding and enhancing human dignity, equity, and the well-being of all American citizens. We urge Congress to prioritize the implementation of policies and programs that prepare for AI-driven changes, ensuring a more equitable, secure, and prosperous future for all Americans.
Below is the content of an email sent to all the congressional bodies named in the blog post above as well as the content of the press release.
Analysis:
Given the scope of topics discussed in my ChatGPT session on the evening of March 18th, 2024-including an in-depth behavioral analysis of Elon Musk's ambitions to influence humanity through Al technologies, exploring ways the United States government could harness Al to address pressing socio-economic challenges, and devising a strategy for global consensus on Al management through the creation of a Global Al Ethics Charter-it's clear that the deletion of this conversation by OpenAl the next morning (March 19th, 2024) raises significant ethical concerns. This action, taken by OpenAl, a company under the leadership of Sam Altman and co-founded by Elon Musk, suggests a worrying inclination towards unethical conduct in the face of critical discussions on Al's role in society.
Conclusion
It's reasonable to speculate that the objectives of the CEOs, particularly concerning the concept of a "Global Al Ethics Charter," might have influenced the Al to automatically filter discussions on such subjects. This could account for why my submissions, despite varying in context and content across two instances, were flagged by OpenAls systems.
It's likely that these decisions were made by an automated process rather than human review, suggesting that specific keywords or themes triggered the Als content moderation algorithms.
Subject: Urgent Action Needed: Protecting Jobs and Economy from AI's Unchecked Growth
Email Content:
Dear Congresswoman, Congresswoman,
I hope this message finds you well. As a data analytics professional with over a decade of experience and founder of the Voice for Change Foundation, I am writing to urgently discuss the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024.
With my background as a data analyst, I've witnessed firsthand the rapid integration of AI and automation in various sectors. In the last six months alone, attending numerous webinars has solidified the consensus among AI experts. Recently, Kristalina Georgieva, the chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stated that AI is poised to impact roughly 40% of global employment. She emphasized that advanced economies are likely to be more affected than emerging markets and developing economies, signaling a transformative shift in the workforce landscape. Furthermore, during my time as the Director of Business Intelligence at an accounting firm for the last two years, an alarming trend has emerged. Companies, especially small to medium-sized, have been reaching out to inquire about tools to automate their manual processes. This surge in interest from business owners to automate manual tasks to enhance efficiency and cost signals a looming threat to job security, echoing the IMF president's warning that 40% of the global workforce could be replaced by automation without proper regulations.
For example, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman recently announced “Sora," a tool capable of creating videos from text. This innovation exemplifies the urgent need for a comprehensive legislative framework. This tool has already been created and could be released to the public at any time. Such advancements indicate that it won't be long before creating blockbuster movies could become as easy and cost-effective as owning a $20/month membership to the service. This could potentially make traditional content creation obsolete, threatening millions of jobs in the creative sector.
Moreover, the McKinsey Research Institute's report released on June 14th, 2023, highlights the swift shift of jobs being automated or transformed, underscoring the pressing need for regulations. This research was published before the announcement in November 2023 about the release of ChatGPT plugins, also known as ChatGPTs. These plugins are capable of creating tailored solutions across various sectors and can automate manual processes and tasks currently performed by human workers. Another technology, known as "AI agents," was also announced. These agents have the capability to replace humans in desk jobs by taking control of computers to perform tasks typically done by manual workers. You may find an example of what this new technology is capable of in my latest blog article, where I also describe why immediate government action is necessary regarding the implementation of the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 to safeguard the American workforce and societal well-being of all Americans.
The potential of these two technologies to significantly alter or eradicate desk jobs, if released to the public without proper checks and balances, presents an urgent call to action. The aim is to prevent irreversible job losses and mitigate the risk of social unrest. Rapid job displacement without the implementation of re-skilling programs to assist displaced workers in finding relevance in new sectors could lead to serious socio-economic challenges.
Concerns include loss of income, healthcare, and housing for millions of Americans, potentially leading to an unstable economy. In such a scenario, there is a risk that people may seek to assign blame, which could exacerbate social tensions, especially with the widespread knowledge of the Second Amendment. Additionally, an increase in homelessness could be seen in major American cities, potentially including displaced workers. This scenario underscores the importance of proactive measures to support those impacted by technological advancements.
My proposal is clear: the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 must include a comprehensive analysis of AI's impact on employment and job security. The conversation I had with a U.S. Congress member revealed that no measures are anticipated to be implemented this year due to bipartisan issues and election dynamics. This delay is alarming, as the time to act is now to prevent significant workforce displacement and economic instability, not only for the United States but the instability of the global economy.
As someone regarded by friends and family as grounded and pragmatic, I assure you that my concerns are based on tangible fears for our national economy and the well-being of the workforce. The contradiction in messages from leading tech figures, such as Elon Musk, is striking. He emphasized that "AI tools and solutions would help the productivity of the workers"—a speech likely aimed at attracting investment. At the same time, he made a contradictory statement, laughing as he said, "Would I rather be alive to see the AI apocalypse or not? I guess I'd like to see it." Why mention that AI technologies could enhance worker productivity and then allude to an AI apocalypse? You can watch this statement and find a behavioral analysis of Mr. Musk on my nonprofit organization's website here.
Additionally, I would like to highlight the ongoing censorship of vital discussions on my OpenAI ChatGPT account. These discussions have included topics such as Elon Musk’s behavioral analysis, his long-term plans for colonizing Mars, and his ambitions to upload human thoughts onto his Neuralink microchip technology. Other topics have focused on how the U.S. government could create a plan of action to leverage artificial intelligence for good, and how the government could implement ethical AI measures to safeguard human rights and societal well-being. All of these discussions have been removed from my account. This raises serious concerns about unethical practices by American tech companies and underscores the urgent need for legislative action. Finally, I have attached screenshots to this email showing the conclusion of my analysis and the conclusion of my research on the censorship of my information on ChatGPT. This information was ultimately removed from both my ChatGPT account and my Squarespace.com website. I had taken these screenshots before the information was censored and removed.
We are at a crucial juncture. Decisions made today will shape our future. I urge you to act swiftly, ensuring AI is harnessed responsibly to protect and promote the welfare of all Americans.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I am eager to support and engage in any initiatives that aim to address these critical issues.
Sincerely,
Kevin Bihan-Poudec
Founder | Voice for Change Foundation
info@voiceforchangefoundation.org
I recommend that you contact the 40 members of Congress who all have shown their support for Ethical AI and signed a joint letter to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Mrs. Arati Prabhakar. Below, I have included their contact information: phone, email, or mailing address. In these critical times, where unchecked technology like AI has the potential to harm millions of Americans, it is crucial that boundaries on AI and reskilling measures are established and implemented rapidly. We all have a duty to pressure those in charge of our government to swiftly implement the Responsible Advanced Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 in order to safeguard human rights and societal well-being for generations to come.
For contacting Congresswoman Susie Lee, here are the details of her office locations and contact information:
Washington, D.C. Office:
Address: 365 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3252
Las Vegas District Office:
Address: 7785 W Sahara Ave, Suite 203, Las Vegas, NV 89117
Phone: (702) 963-9336
For more detailed inquiries or services, you can visit her official website.
For contacting Congresswoman Jennifer L. McClellan, here are the details of her office locations and contact information:
Washington, D.C. Office:
Address: 2417 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6365
Richmond District Office:
Address: 11 S. 12th Street, Suite 401, Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 486-1840
Brunswick Satellite Office:
Address: 100 Athletic Field Road, Lawrenceville, VA 23868
Phone: (804) 690-5809
Available Thursdays from 10 am to 4:30 pm, or by appointment.
For more detailed inquiries or to contact her electronically, you can visit Congresswoman Jennifer L. McClellan's official website.
For contacting Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, here are the details of her office locations and contact information:
Washington, D.C. Office:
Address: 1024 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5625
Fax: (771) 200-5726
Northglenn District Office:
Address: 10701 Melody Drive, Suite 500, Northglenn, CO 80234
Phone: (303) 723-6560
Fax: (771) 200-5726
Greeley District Office:
Address: 3400 W. 16th Street, Building 1S, Suite C, Greeley, CO 80634
Phone: (970) 324-2567
Fax: (771) 200-5726
For more detailed inquiries or to contact her electronically, you can visit Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo's official website.
For contacting Congressman Donald G. Davis, here are the details of his office locations and contact information:
Washington, D.C. Office:
Address: 1123 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3101
Greenville Office:
Address: 1710 East Arlington Boulevard, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27858
Phone: (252) 999-7600
For additional information or to reach out via email, you can visit Congressman Donald G. Davis's official website.
For contacting Congressman Marc A. Veasey, here are the details of his office locations and contact information:
Washington, D.C. Office:
Address: 2348 Rayburn, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-9897
Fax: (202) 225-9702
Dallas District Office:
Address: JP Morgan Chase Building, 1881 Sylvan Ave, Ste. 108, Dallas, TX 75208
Phone: (214) 741-1387
Fax: (214) 741-2026
Fort Worth District Office:
Address: 6707 Brentwood Stair Rd, Suite 200, Fort Worth, TX 76112
Phone: (817) 920-9086
Fax: (817) 920-9324
For more detailed inquiries or to contact him electronically, you can visit Congressman Marc A. Veasey's official website.
For contacting Congresswoman Valerie P. Foushee, here are the details of her office locations and contact information:
Washington, D.C. Office:
Address: 1716 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 225-1784
District Office in Durham, NC:
Address: 2605 Meridian Parkway Suite 110, Durham, NC 27713
Phone: (919) 967-7924
Fax: (984) 234-7724
For more detailed inquiries or to contact her electronically, you can visit Congresswoman Valerie P. Foushee's official website.