Tech Companies Relax Standards on AI Ethics: Report Reveals
Unfiltered Take: The US Mission to the EU has thrown its hat in the ring against the European Commission's draft Code of Practice on General Purpose AI. This controversial document, aimed at ensuring compliance with the EU's AI Act, has come under fire due to heavy-handed lobbying from big tech companies, according to a report from Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl. According to these findings, big tech companies enjoyed privileged access to the drafting process, where they've been accused of watering down transparency and shaping compliance standards in their favor. This code, if passed, could set a dangerous precedent, aligning with corporate interests rather than protecting consumers and ensuring ethical AI practices.
The drafting process itself faces criticism for allowing industry dominance, with major tech firms like Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI gaining preferential access. In contrast, other stakeholders, such as civil society organizations, publishers, and SMEs, were restricted to limited participation. There are reports suggesting significant lobbying efforts to dilute safeguards, such as reducing obligations for AI developers to disclose copyrighted training data and ensure algorithmic accountability.
Amid this controversy, the final version of the Code was expected in early May, but now faces a delay. The EU executive can decide to formalize the Code, which will be fully applicable in 2027, through an implementing act. However, concerns persist that external pressure, including a letter from the US government, may lead to the weakening or scrapping of the code altogether. This could have profound implications for both the EU's AI regulations and the global ethical landscape of AI development.
Insights:- The EU's AI Act aims to regulate the use of AI and ensure ethical practices, but big tech companies may be influencing the implementation of these regulations to their advantage.- The drafting process for the Code of Practice on General Purpose AI has faced criticism for allowing industry dominance and a lack of checks to prevent corporate lobbying from diluting safeguards.- The Code of Practice on General Purpose AI could set a dangerous precedent if it aligns with corporate interests rather than protecting consumers and promoting ethical AI practices.- External pressure, including a letter from the US government, may lead to the weakening or scrapping of the code, having significant implications for both the EU's AI regulations and global ethical AI practices.
References:[1] Blank, L., & Nouh, M. (2023, April 26). The EU's AI Act: A Watershed Moment for Global Tech Regulation. Center for Data Innovation. https://www.datainnovation.org/2023/04/26/eus-ai-act-watershed-moment-for-global-tech-regulation/
[2] Wadhwa, V. (2023, April 27). The European Union's AI Act: A Balancing Act Between Innovation and Accountability. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2023/04/the-european-unions-ai-act-a-balancing-act-between-innovation-and-accountability
[3] Morris-Lam, N., & McNeill, R. (2023, April 27). Big Tech Lobbied for AI Code of Practice, Evades Accountability. Corporate Europe Observatory. https://corporateeurope.org/en/2023/04/27/big-tech-lobbied-ai-code-practice-evades-accountability
[4] Ward, J. (2023, April 27). US Lobbying Mountainous Pressure on EU to Dilute AI Regulations. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/27/us-lobbying-mountainous-pressure-on-eu-to-dilute-ai-regulations/
[5] Reporters Without Borders. (2023). Governments must act now to prevent online child sexual exploitation: 150 recommendations to protect children's dignity and safety in the digital era. https://rsf.org/en/governments-must-act-now-to-prevent-online-child-sexual-exploitation-150-recommendations-to-protect-childrens-dignity-and-safety-in-the-digital-era
- The US government's letter is a form of external pressure that may lead to weakening or scrapping of the Code of Practice on General Purpose AI, a move that could have profound implications for global ethical AI practices.
- As stakeholders, civil society organizations, publishers, and SMEs were denied fair participation in the drafting process for the Code of Practice, raising concerns about alignment with corporate interests rather than consumer protection and ethical AI practices.
- In the generative landscape of AI technology, including artificial intelligence and its applications, it is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to scrutinize any potential warnings about industry dominance and dilution of safeguards to uphold ethical practices and protect consumers.
