In this episode of In AI We Trust?, co-hosts Miriam Vogel and Nuala O’Connor unpack the pressing, complex challenges of AI policy with Adam Thierer, a Resident Senior Fellow for the R Street Institute’s Technology and Innovation Team. Drawing on his three decades of experience, Thierer discusses the potential impact of the Trump Administration’s AI executive orders and his analysis of the Administration’s AI Action Plan. He also emphasizes the importance of AI literacy, innovation, and the freedom to learn using AI.
The AI Action Plan, Targeted Reforms, and Existing Laws
Thierer highlights many positive elements in the AI Action Plan, such as its focus on strengthening American AI, improving open-source development, and investing in the future, and also notes its drawbacks, such as greater controls on speech and the failure to clarify copyright law.
Despite having an optimistic view of the AI Action Plan, Thierer warns that the White House’s power has limits and that Congress must get involved to create narrowly focused laws. However,he is also cautions against sweeping federal legislation that tries to address all interests that often collapse under competing priorities.
Thierer argues that the U.S. already has many laws in place that can, and should, be applied to AI, including those governing civil rights and consumer protection. He quotes former FTC Commissioner Lina Khan in the guidance that, “there is no AI exemption from the laws on the books.”
Thierer acknowledges gaps that Congress has quickly addressed, such as deepfakes, but mostly believes that we must “wait and see” how agencies enforce existing laws in AI contexts, giving the law “some time to evolve.” Citing his recent Civitas Institute report, he contrasts this —a uniquely American approach—with the European approach of addressing problems pre-emptively.
Governing the Private Sector
When asked about the private sector’s role in AI governance, Thierer calls for greater consensus about AI best practices—”best practices for best practices.” He stresses that it is crucial still to acknowledge the differences between sectors, necessitating flexible frameworks and a sectoral approach.
However, he continues to caution against a patchwork of approaches that would simply create greater confusion: “I’m very, very concerned about the patchwork of different approaches . . . and the confusion that it could create, even as well-intentioned as transparency requirements, disclosure requirements, [and] whistleblower [protections]. I can get behind a lot of these things, but I can’t get behind 50 different things.”
AI Literacy: “A Bipartisan Love Fest”
The cohosts and Thierer focused much of the conversation on the need for AI literacy. Thierer defines two types: AI literacy for students, consumers, and the general public—an approach that evolved from the concept of digital literacy, and AI literacy for policymakers, governments, and institutions—an approach that includes figuring out how to meet the needs of the public.
Thierer hopes that AI literacy is supported at multiple levels of the government, noting that AI literacy is one area he doesn’t mind states and localities getting involved, as education is a “core state and local function.”
The Freedom to Learn (and Innovate) with AI
Thierer believes that the First Amendment protects our right to gather information and learn from it. Relatedly he argues it is critical to protect the freedom to learn using AI. He expresses concern about efforts that could limit access to information or stifle innovation. He underscores, “AI is the most powerful knowledge-creating tool of humanity.”
In line with this, he expresses optimism about AI’s potential to spark a needed “technological revolution” in healthcare, starting with more personalized care. He noted his series “AI and Public Health,” in which he explores how AI systems are already being used “to move the needle on public health.”
Thierer concluded with an appeal to the audience: “We’ve got to figure out a way to utilize technology to make our public healthier and make ourselves better off, live longer, healthier lives.”
Enjoy the full episode here: