Several members of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee have expressed caution regarding the use of artificial intelligence, despite statements from federal agencies responsible for safeguarding records and history on Wednesday.
Senator Deb Fischer, the ranking associate from Nebraska, emphasized the dual nature of AI in her opening statement. While acknowledging its potential for rapid advancement and efficiency, she also highlighted the accompanying risks.
Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, has prioritized enhancing the organization’s technological capabilities since assuming her role in 2016. She emphasized the collaborative potential of AI across various sectors, both public and private.
The core principle of the Library of Congress’s current strategic agenda, as outlined by Hayden, underscores the integration of technology into all facets of their operations.
However, some committee members raised concerns about the proliferation of fake media, citing instances of manipulated images and videos. Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee expressed apprehension about “deep-faking” in the music industry, referring to the electronic alteration of voice recordings.
Senator Klobuchar highlighted the risks posed by deep-fake technology in spreading misinformation, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2024 election cycle. She referenced bipartisan legislation introduced in September 2023 by Senators Josh Hawley and Chris Coons to combat the dissemination of AI-generated false content during elections.
In an interview with the Medill News Service, Klobuchar emphasized the bipartisan efforts to safeguard the integrity of democratic processes from deceptive practices using AI technology.
Mero Parks, the deputy secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, commended the transformative impact of AI and other technologies on historical research, while acknowledging the cybersecurity vulnerabilities at personal and national levels.
Parks lauded initiatives like the Freedmen’s Bureau translation project at the Smithsonian, which leverages technology to transcribe genealogical records of formerly enslaved individuals. She also highlighted research endeavors aimed at recognizing women’s historical contributions that have been erroneously attributed to men.
Parks underscored the importance of collaboration between policymakers and technology leaders to enhance AI tools for broader societal benefit, echoing Hayden’s view on the potential for cooperative efforts, especially in academia.
Contrastingly, Hugh Nathanial Hawthorne, the Director of the Government Publishing Office, took a more cautious stance, noting the susceptibility of their data production processes to disruptions from AI, similar to other major enterprises.
Senator Klobuchar and committee members continue to explore the implications of AI on government operations, particularly as private sector adoption of AI technologies increases.
Klobuchar emphasized the imperative for Congress to navigate the complexities of AI with prudence and foresight to proactively address evolving challenges and opportunities in the technological landscape.
