Key Role of Tech Billionaires Think Tank in Bidens AI Order – Shiv Telegram Media
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Title: Effective Altruists Urge Washington to Address AI Risks as Concerns Over Objectivity Grow
In a growing movement, effective altruists are turning their attention towards artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential risks, urging Washington to take action. Among their concerns are the development of bioweapons and the need for the government to address existing AI harms like racial bias and copyright infringement.
Key personnel from top AI companies, such as RAND CEO Jason Matheny and senior information scientist Jeff Alstott, have deep ties to the effective altruism movement and have connections with the Biden administration. This has raised eyebrows and concerns about the organization’s objectivity.
RAND, a renowned research institution, has been significantly funded by Open Philanthropy for their research on AI and biosecurity. The organization’s influence on AI policy at the White House has led some RAND employees to worry about potential bias in their recommendations.
Critics argue that RAND’s focus on future risks detracts from the need to address current AI harms, such as racial bias and copyright infringement. However, defenders of the organization claim that they are committed to objectivity and that their funders have no influence on their work.
Notably, RAND personnel, including Alstott, were involved in drafting the reporting requirements and other components of the AI executive order. Some provisions recommended by Alstott during a Senate hearing in the past have made their way into the executive order.
According to RAND CEO Matheny, the organization provided assistance to the White House in drafting the executive order, and their analyses have influenced the formulation of new export controls. However, concerns over RAND’s ties to Open Philanthropy have led some employees to question the impact on the organization’s independence.
Open Philanthropy has also supported independent experts who contributed to President Biden’s AI safety efforts. However, their role in funding RAND and its personnel has raised suspicions about potential interference.
Despite attempts to seek comment, both the White House and Open Philanthropy have remained silent on RAND’s involvement and the concerns raised.
As the effective altruism movement gains traction and concerns over RAND’s objectivity grow, some employees within the organization worry about the impact of their links to Open Philanthropy on trust. The debate surrounding AI policies and the role of effective altruists in shaping the narrative is likely to continue as more attention is directed towards the potential risks AI poses to society.
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