AI

Biden’s Chief Tech Adviser Urges Immediate AI Regulation

16 July 2024

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Zaker Adham

Summary

In an exclusive interview, Arati Prabhakar, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), emphasized the urgent need for AI regulation.

As President Joe Biden’s top science and technology adviser, Prabhakar brings a wealth of experience to the table, having led the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) during the Obama administration.

Appointed as the first woman to hold her current position in 2022, Prabhakar has also worked extensively in Silicon Valley, bridging the gap between public and private sectors. She oversees a team of about 140 at the OSTP, advising the president on scientific developments and technological innovations. This includes guiding regulatory efforts, government investments, and setting priorities for significant projects like Biden’s cancer moonshot and climate change initiatives.

Prabhakar was notably the first to introduce ChatGPT to President Biden, demonstrating its capabilities by generating song lyrics in the style of Bruce Springsteen. Her team is now steering the White House's approach to AI safety and regulation, following Biden’s AI executive order last fall. She discussed her views on AI risks, particularly around deepfakes, and the impact of big tech's influence on regulation.

A significant focus for Prabhakar is also on semiconductors. With a PhD in applied physics and a thesis on semiconductor materials, she has been closely involved in the implementation of the CHIPS Act, which aims to revitalize American chip manufacturing with $52 billion in government subsidies. She shared insights on the early successes of this legislation.