Tech Group Advocates for AI Regulation in Privacy Legislation

 Business Edge

Key strategic insights on tech news.

Tech Group Advocates for AI Regulation in Privacy Legislation

BSA, a tech advocacy group backed in part by Microsoft, is advocating for rules governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in national privacy legislation, according to a document released on Monday. BSA represents business software companies like Adobe, IBM, and Oracle. Microsoft is one of the leaders in AI due to its recent investment in OpenAI, the creator of the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT.

The push comes as many members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have expressed interest and urgency in making sure regulation keeps pace with the quick development of AI technology. The group is advocating for four key protections: clear requirements for AI evaluation, defining consequential decisions, designating a federal agency for compliance review, and requiring risk-management programs for high-risk AI.

Craig Albright, vice president of U.S. government relations at BSA, said, "We're an industry group that wants Congress to pass this legislation. So we're trying to bring more attention to this opportunity. We feel it just hasn't gotten as much attention as it could or should." He added that the suggested regulations aren't meant to address every AI concern, but provide an important answer to an important question about AI.

The introduction of accessible advanced AI tools like ChatGPT has accelerated the push for guardrails on the technology. While the U.S. has created a voluntary risk management framework, many advocates have pushed for even stronger protections. In the meantime, Europe is working to finalize its AI Act, creating protections around high-risk AI.

Albright emphasized the importance of a national agenda for digital transformation, which would include rules around AI, national privacy standards, and robust cybersecurity policy. BSA has been in contact with the House Energy and Commerce Committee, suggesting that the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) is the right vehicle for new AI rules. BSA hopes that when the ADPPA is reintroduced, it will contain new language to regulate AI.

Read more about it at —> (read time: 4 minutes)

Impact: We classify this news as an Industry-wide Impact, as it involves significant regulatory implications for the AI industry and affects multiple sectors within the tech sector. BSA's advocacy for AI regulation in national privacy legislation highlights the growing concerns around the rapid development of AI technology and its potential consequences. Implementing such regulations could shape the future of AI development and its applications across various industries.