The White House’s push to draft a national AI policy has really got people talking—like, really talking. Over 10,000 folks have chimed in with their two cents to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and now all those thoughts are out there in the wild, sprawled across a whopping 18,480-page document. It’s a mixed bag, highlighting just how tricky it is to steer AI in a direction that’s both innovative and ethical.
Here’s the rub: everyone wants AI to grow and dazzle us with its potential, but not at the expense of society. Creatives and big industry names are up in arms about copyright, claiming AI’s playing fast and loose with their work. On the flip side, heavy hitters like Andreessen Horowitz are waving red flags, saying too much regulation could kill the vibe (and the innovation). It’s a classic case of ‘how do we keep the baby without the bathwater?’
And then there’s the planet. AI data centers are energy hogs, and people aren’t shy about pointing that out. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s latest AI play—scrapping Biden’s order for one that’s all about dodging ‘ideological bias’—has folks rolling their eyes. Critics say it’s missing the point, especially on stuff like AI discrimination, which was kind of a big deal before.
Economics isn’t left out of the fray. Some argue that slapping tariffs on foreign goods is like shooting ourselves in the foot when it comes to AI. The consensus? Maybe don’t start a trade war while trying to boost domestic tech. And while some are fixated on AI censorship, it’s more of a sidebar in this sprawling debate.
As Trump’s team gets cozy, with Michael Kratsios at OSTP’s helm and Sriram Krishnan advising on AI, the mountain of public feedback is a stark reminder: figuring out AI policy is like herding cats. The goal? To tap into AI’s genius without letting it run amok. Easy, right?
