In addition to the owners of the social network X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, and the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, also attended the meeting, which is part of a series of forums on AI innovation planned by Senator Chuck Schumer, Democratic majority leader in the Senate.
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In these meetings, held behind closed doors, legislators can question businesspeople about a technology that has revolutionized the world since the launch of the ChatGPT last year.
Europe already has its own advanced Artificial Intelligence Act, and American lawmakers are under pressure to avoid falling behind and seeing AI overwhelm society, with job losses, widespread misinformation and other consequences.
“Today we begin an enormous, complex, and vital task: laying the foundation for a bipartisan AI policy that Congress can pass,” said Senator Schumer at the meeting, according to statements shared with the media.
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“In previous situations, when things were this difficult, the natural reaction was to ignore the problem and let someone else do the work. But with AI, we can’t be like ostriches sticking their heads in the sand,” he said.
“I'm very optimistic about AI, but that doesn't mean there won't be some bumps along the way,” added Altman of OpenAI, when entering the meeting.
During the three-hour morning session, a wide range of topics were discussed, including the dangers and potential of AI. Participants agreed that governments have a role to play in addressing the consequences of this technology.
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Service to humanity
Musk praised Schumer for providing “a service to humanity, with the support of the rest of the Senate”. “I believe something good will come out of this,” he said.
Unfettered AI, the mogul added to journalists after the meeting, “could be potentially harmful to all humans everywhere.”
Whether the US Congress will pass legislation to restrict AI innovators with clear rules remains to be seen, given the deep political divisions in Washington and the proximity of the 2024 elections.
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While both parties agree that technology can have very negative effects on everyday life, they often differ on what the solutions might be.
Technology companies also exert strong pressure to maintain a flexible regulatory regime that benefits companies and preserves innovation.
Some senators complained that the meeting was held in private and gave too much room for tech giants to influence lawmakers.
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“It shouldn’t be this way,” said Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican who works closely on AI issues.
The meeting was also the first known meeting between Musk and Zuckerberg since the CEO of Tesla proposed a fight with the creator of Facebook.
Musk also shared a room with Gates, with whom he has a tense relationship, according to a biography about the company chief. Tesla and SpaceX published on Tuesday.
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