Stanford HAI 2019 Fall Conference - Conversation with Michael Kratsios and Eileen Donahoe

TL;DR

The US Chief Technology Officer, Michael Kratsios, discusses the importance of US leadership in AI and the need to balance innovation with ethical values.

Transcript

• This morning, we are really lucky to have today this amazing discussion with our US Chief Technology Officer, Michael Kratsios, which is moderated by Eileen Donahoe. She's gonna introduce Michael, but let me introduce Eileen, first. She's the executive director of the Global Digital Policy Incubator at The Stanford Cyber Policy Center. She focuse... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 US leadership in emerging technologies like AI is crucial for economic growth, job creation, and national security.
• ♻️ The US government advocates for a regulatory environment that fosters innovation while protecting ethical values.
• 🇪🇭 Collaboration with other Western democracies is essential to ensure that AI technology adheres to ethical principles.
• 🎓 Efforts are being made to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM education and address biases and societal impacts in AI development.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the US government advocate for collaboration between private sector tech companies and the government?

The US government believes that technology companies should partner with the government, but acknowledges that there may be disagreements on certain issues. The focus is on finding common ground and maximizing areas of agreement.

Q: Is the US government considering federal regulation of facial recognition technology?

The US government recognizes the need for regulation in areas like facial recognition to ensure the protection of civil liberties and privacy. However, the approach will be thoughtful and considerate, taking into account issues of bias and societal impact.

Q: How does the US government address the lack of diversity and inclusion in the AI and computing field?

The US government is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM education, especially in K-12 settings. Efforts are being made to prioritize STEM education with a focus on computer science and to encourage underrepresented groups to pursue careers in AI and computing.

Q: What is the US government's stance on the tension between innovation and ethical values in AI development?

The US government acknowledges the importance of both innovation and ethical values in AI development. It believes that US leadership in AI will ensure that technology is underpinned by American values and used for the benefit of society.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Michael Kratsios highlights the importance of US leadership in emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and 5G.

• The US government focuses on driving research and development leadership, supporting the American workforce, and creating a regulatory environment that fosters innovation.

• Kratsios acknowledges the need for collaboration with other Western democracies to ensure that AI technology is underpinned by ethical values.