Show Notes from S2E6 Interview with UC Berkley’s David Evan Harris on Guarding Against the Dangers of AI

by | Apr 28, 2024 | Artificial Intelligence, Business, Cybersecurity, Geopolitics, Media, Politics and Policy, Tech, Trends | 0 comments

Summary
David Evan Harris is a Chancellor’s Public Scholar at UC Berkeley and a continuing lecturer at the Haas School of Business. The main topic of my conversation with David is the race to safeguard governments, businesses, communities and individuals against the risks of artificial intelligence misuse.
David teaches courses including AI Ethics for Leaders; Social Movements & Social Media; Civic Technology; and Scenario Planning & Futures Thinking. Harris is an affiliated faculty member with the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS); Center for Latin American Studies; Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership (EGAL); and the Business and Public Policy Group at UC Berkeley.
In this episode, we discussed the current state of AI adoption and regulation around the world. A key topic of conversation is the “dual use” of AI and the need for regulations to address both its civilian and weaponized applications. Harris emphasizes the importance of catching up with AI development and implementing guardrails to prevent misuse. He also discusses the regulation race between China and the European Union. In terms of AI’s impact on democracies, Harris expresses concerns about deepfakes, AI-generated content, and the use of encrypted messaging platforms for election interference. The conversation covers the use of encrypted messaging platforms for disinformation, the controversy at OpenAI regarding governance issues, the balance between profit motives and ethics in AI companies, and the need for regulation in advanced AI development.

In his previous role at Meta (formerly Facebook), David managed teams of quantitative and qualitative researchers working on responsible AI, social impact, and civic integrity. During his close to five years with the company, he and his teams covered topic areas including AI fairness and inclusion; AI governance and accountability; global election integrity; misinformation; coordinated inauthentic behavior; hate speech; human rights; political violence; harassment and online safety for activists, journalists, and politicians; community organizing; civic participation; racial justice; authoritative information; volunteering and non-profit organizations.

At the Institute for the Future (IFTF), he served as research director, leading research on the future of media, philanthropy, governance, international development, and social movements from 2008-2018. Harris studied at the University of São Paulo (MS, Sociology) and UC Berkeley (BA, Political Economy of Environment & Development). As a student, he was an intern at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and a confidential assistant at the Office of Management and Budget, Natural Resources Division.

Takeaways

  • AI adoption is still in its early stages, with generative AI technology being a recent development.
  • Regulation of AI is crucial to address its dual use and prevent misuse.
  • China and the European Union are leading the regulation race, with China already having over a dozen AI-specific laws.
  • AI poses significant threats to elections, including deepfakes, AI-generated content, and the use of encrypted messaging platforms for election interference. Encrypted messaging platforms can be used to distribute disinformation and manipulate public opinion.
  • The controversy at OpenAI highlights the challenges of balancing profit motive and ethical considerations in AI companies.
  • Regulation is necessary to ensure responsible AI development and prevent the misuse of AI technologies.
  • The public should be aware of the potential risks and implications of AI advancements and the role of leaders in shaping the future of AI.

Key Segments Include:

  • Current State of AI Adoption and Regulation
  • Regulating AI as a Dual Use Technology
  • Difficulty of Restricting Access to AI
  • Implications of AI in Elections
  • Regulating AI in Elections
  • Concerns about AI in Elections
  • Encrypted Messaging Platforms and Election Interference
  • Using Encrypted Messaging Platforms for Disinformation
  • Controversy at OpenAI and Governance Issues
  • Balancing Profit Motive and Ethics in AI Companies
  • The Need for Regulation in AI Development

To learn more about David Evan Harris:

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