President Biden issued what has been described as a “landmark” Executive Order on “healthy, stable, and reliable artificial intelligence” at the conclusion of the upcoming month. This Executive Order aims to establish new AI safety standards that safeguard Americans’ privacy, advance economic and civil rights, advocate for consumers and workers, foster innovation and competition, bolster American leadership globally, and more, ensuring that the United States takes the lead in harnessing the potential and managing the risks associated with artificial intelligence.
The Executive Order represents a progression from previous actions taken by the President, including initiatives that led to voluntary commitments from 15 prominent companies to promote the safe, secure, and reliable development of AI.
While there remain numerous unresolved ethical and security concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, President Biden’s Executive Order serves as compelling evidence of the necessity to address these issues. It is equally crucial to recognize the potential for AI to assist individuals, such as enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.
One notable example is the efforts of Punit Soni and his team at Suki AI, who are dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of electronic health records for healthcare providers worldwide. This Bay Area-based medical technology startup has developed software that simplifies and enhances the process of documenting patient charts using artificial intelligence. In a recent conversation with Soni, a former Google product manager, he articulated the company’s mission to make healthcare technology “seamless and supportive, allowing clinicians to concentrate on patient care.”
Moreover, the concept that electronic health records can be more easily accessible through AI applications is not just a matter of convenience but also holds significant potential for healthcare professionals facing physical limitations. Automating this process can greatly improve efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately enhancing accessibility.
Soni emphasized the importance of President Biden’s Executive Order in recognizing the centrality of AI in addressing accessibility issues and commended it as a crucial step forward. However, he also highlighted certain limitations within the Order, particularly regarding the potential burden of regulations on smaller businesses.
In Soni’s view, future regulations should focus on creating an AI equivalent of HIPAA, offering comprehensive guidelines on data utilization, infrastructure, training data, bias mitigation, model integrity, and other critical aspects. He stressed the importance of involving diverse stakeholders, including industry representatives, in shaping these regulations to ensure a balanced approach that fosters innovation while upholding safety, security, and equality.
Soni expressed confidence that AI, as an enabling layer in healthcare, will democratize access and efficiency across the industry, aligning with the objectives of Biden’s Executive Order. He underscored the vital role of startups and small businesses in driving technological progress and economic growth, advocating for regulatory frameworks that support innovation without unduly favoring larger corporations.
To ensure that the impact of the Executive Order extends beyond influential entities, Soni recommended the establishment of a task force inclusive of diverse stakeholders, ranging from startups to industry incumbents. He emphasized the importance of engaging a broad spectrum of experts and end-users in policy design to achieve a comprehensive and pragmatic oversight framework.
In conclusion, Soni highlighted the essential role that companies like Suki play in the regulatory landscape, emphasizing the need for a collaborative and inclusive approach to AI governance that considers the perspectives of various stakeholders to navigate the complexities of evolving technology responsibly.
