How Harris and Trump differ on AI policy and regulation

🥽 TRENDS

Apple and Microsoft Betting on Smaller Language Models (🔗link)

As giants like Apple and Microsoft shift focus to smaller language models, the AI landscape is witnessing a significant transformation. Unlike large models, which require immense computational power and data, smaller models (SLMs) promise efficiency and speed, making advanced AI accessible to more applications and devices. This strategic move reflects a growing recognition of the need for scalable, cost-effective AI solutions that can democratize technology without sacrificing performance.

Meta's Ambitious AI Leap with LLaMA 3.1 (🔗link)

Meta has announced the release of LLaMA 3.1, its latest open-source AI assistant, poised to compete with OpenAI’s GPT4 and Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet. This development underscores Meta's commitment to advancing open-source AI, fostering a collaborative environment that accelerates innovation. By offering a robust alternative to proprietary models, Meta is not only pushing the envelope in AI capabilities but also advocating for greater transparency and community-driven progress in the AI field.

AI Ads Miss the Mark in Olympic Spirit (🔗link)

Recent AI-driven advertisements from both Microsoft and Google during the Olympics have sparked mixed reactions, with some viewers feeling uneasy about the content. This response highlights a critical challenge in AI marketing: balancing technological prowess with genuine human connection. As AI continues to shape advertising, the industry is treading carefully to ensure that the essence of events like the Olympics isn't overshadowed by overly intrusive technology.

💡 SPOTLIGHT

Diverging AI Policies: Harris vs. Trump

As AI technology continues to evolve, political leaders are increasingly defining their stances on its regulation and application, with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump showcasing contrasting approaches. Harris, representing the current administration, advocates for a balanced regulatory framework that ensures AI's ethical development and deployment. Her stance emphasizes the need for comprehensive policies that address potential biases, privacy concerns, and the societal impact of AI, ensuring the technology benefits all segments of society without exacerbating inequalities.

Harris said she and Biden “reject the false choice that suggests we can either protect the public or advance innovation.”

On the other hand, Donald Trump's perspective on AI policy is markedly different. Trump's approach leans towards minimizing regulatory constraints to foster rapid innovation and maintain the United States' competitive edge in the global AI race. He argues that excessive regulation could stifle technological advancements and economic growth, suggesting that a more laissez-faire attitude would better support the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that characterizes the American tech industry.

“We will repeal Joe Biden’s dangerous Executive Order that hinders AI Innovation and imposes Radical Leftwing ideas on the development of this technology,” in a quote from the Republican platform. “In its place, Republicans support AI Development rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.”

These divergent views highlight a fundamental debate in the realm of AI policy: the balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding the public interest. Harris’s emphasis on ethical oversight aims to mitigate risks associated with AI, such as bias and privacy invasion, while Trump’s focus on deregulation seeks to accelerate technological progress and economic benefits.

As AI continues to permeate various aspects of society, the direction chosen by our next administration will significantly shape the technology's future impact. We are already seeing some of the biggest players in Silicon Valley expressing their preferences and taking sides.

Read more: How Harris and Trump differ on artificial intelligence policy | AP News