Google’s cloud computing division is actively engaging in productive early conversations with regulators in the European Union (EU) regarding the bloc’s pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) regulations. Thomas Kurian, the head of Google’s cloud computing division, revealed in an exclusive interview with CNBC that the company is collaborating with regulators to develop safe and responsible strategies for building AI technologies. Kurian emphasized the potential of AI to generate significant value for people, while acknowledging the associated risks.
One key concern raised by EU policymakers is the potential difficulty in distinguishing between content generated by humans and AI. To address this concern, Google is developing technologies that allow users to differentiate between human-generated and AI-generated content. In a recent event, Google unveiled a “watermarking” solution that labels AI-generated images, signaling the company’s commitment to enabling private sector-driven oversight of AI before formal regulations are implemented.
The rapid evolution of AI systems, demonstrated by tools like ChatGPT and Stability Diffusion, has raised concerns among EU policymakers and regulators. These tools have the ability to generate content that surpasses the capabilities of previous AI iterations. However, there are worries that generative AI models may facilitate the mass production of copyright-infringing material, potentially harming artists and creative professionals who rely on royalties. Generative AI models are trained on extensive sets of publicly available internet data, much of which is copyright-protected.
In response to these concerns, the European Parliament recently approved legislation known as the EU AI Act, which aims to regulate AI deployment within the EU. The act includes provisions to ensure that the training data used for generative AI tools complies with copyright laws. Google, recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, continues to collaborate with the EU government to gain a comprehensive understanding of their worries. The company is also developing tools to identify content generated by AI models, as it is crucial for enforcement purposes to distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated content.
The Global Significance and Challenges of Generative AI
Generative AI has become a significant battleground within the global tech industry as companies compete to lead the development of this technology. The capabilities of generative AI, ranging from generating music lyrics to producing code, have captivated academics and businesses alike. However, the rapid advancement of AI has raised concerns about job displacement, misinformation, and bias.
Even within Google, there have been internal concerns about the pace of AI development. The company’s announcement of Bard, a generative AI chatbot designed to rival Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT, was met with criticism from Google employees. Messages on the internal forum Memegen described the announcement as rushed, botched, and uncharacteristic of Google’s approach. Former high-profile researchers at Google, including Timnit Gebru and Geoffrey Hinton, have also voiced concerns about the company’s handling of AI and its lack of attention to ethical development.
Despite these internal challenges, Thomas Kurian emphasizes Google’s willingness to embrace regulation. He asserts that powerful technologies like AI require responsible regulation, and Google is actively collaborating with governments in the EU, the United Kingdom, and other countries to ensure the adoption of AI in a responsible manner. The UK has introduced a framework of AI principles for regulators to enforce, while the Biden administration and various US government agencies have proposed frameworks for AI regulation.
However, the tech industry’s main concern is the slow pace of regulatory responses to innovative technologies. Consequently, many companies, including Google, are taking their own proactive approaches to introduce guardrails around AI, rather than waiting for formal laws to be established. This demonstrates the urgency and commitment of tech companies to address the challenges associated with AI and work collaboratively with regulators to create a responsible and regulated AI landscape.
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