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Outgoing Head of US Department of Homeland Security Warns of Hampering Global Approach to Regulating Artificial Intelligence
Alejandro Mayorkas, the outgoing head of the US Department of Homeland Security, believes Europe’s “adversarial” relationship with tech companies is hampering a global approach to regulating artificial intelligence that could result in security vulnerabilities.
Disparate Governance Creates Vulnerability
Mayorkas stressed the need for “harmonisation across the Atlantic”, expressing concern that relationships between governments and the tech industry are “more adversarial” in Europe than in the US.
“Disparate governance of a single item creates a potential for disorder, and disorder creates a vulnerability from a safety and security perspective,” Mayorkas said, adding companies would also struggle to navigate different regulations across jurisdictions.
EU’s AI Act and US’s Approach
The warning comes after the EU brought into force its AI Act this year, considered the strictest laws for governing the nascent technology anywhere in the world. It introduces restrictions on “high risk” AI systems and rules designed to create more transparency on how AI groups use data.
In the US, president-elect Donald Trump has vowed to cancel his predecessor, Joe Biden’s executive order on AI, which set up a safety institute to conduct voluntary tests on models.
US’s Approach to AI Regulation
Mayorkas said he did not know if the US safety institute “would stay” under the new administration, but warned prescriptive laws could “suffocate and harm US leadership” in the rapidly evolving sector.
Conclusion
The warning highlights fractures between European and American approaches to AI oversight as policymakers try to balance innovation with safety concerns. The DHS is tasked with protecting the security and safety of the US, against threats such as terrorism and cyber security.
FAQs
Q: What is the EU’s AI Act?
A: The EU’s AI Act is considered the strictest laws for governing artificial intelligence anywhere in the world. It introduces restrictions on “high risk” AI systems and rules designed to create more transparency on how AI groups use data.
Q: What is the US’s approach to AI regulation?
A: The US’s approach to AI regulation is more focused on voluntary testing and guidelines, rather than prescriptive laws. The US safety institute, set up by Joe Biden’s executive order, conducts voluntary tests on AI models.
Q: What is the concern about prescriptive laws?
A: The concern is that prescriptive laws could “suffocate and harm US leadership” in the rapidly evolving sector of artificial intelligence.
Q: What is the role of the DHS in AI regulation?
A: The DHS is tasked with protecting the security and safety of the US, against threats such as terrorism and cyber security. It is also responsible for regulating the use of AI in critical infrastructure.
