Officials in Washington D.C. have announced their intention to conduct a listening session aimed at gaining insights into the experiences of workers and the use of AI surveillance in the workplace. The move comes as part of broader efforts by U.S. officials to closely monitor the advancements in artificial intelligence. The White House revealed that they would be seeking feedback from employees regarding how their employers utilize AI for monitoring purposes. This initiative coincides with federal investments being directed toward AI development.
Regulators in the United States are planning to organize a listening session that will gather input on the use of AI for workplace surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation. Experts in gig work, researchers, and policymakers will also participate in the discussions. This development follows U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's recent meeting with executives from prominent tech companies, where the risks associated with AI were discussed. President Joe Biden had previously urged tech companies to address the potential dangers of the technology.
In early May, U.S. officials released standards for key and emerging technologies, highlighting eight sectors in the tech industry that are projected to significantly impact the economy in the coming years. Furthermore, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified before Congress in a groundbreaking session that focused on the potential threats posed by generative AI.
The United States is not alone in formulating regulatory measures for emerging technologies. The United Kingdom recently committed nearly $125 million toward the establishment of a 'safe AI' task force as part of its efforts to enhance AI readiness. In the European Union, officials are finalizing legislation that could become one of the world's first comprehensive sets of regulations and guidelines for governing generative AI tools. Recent discussions on the EU AI Act have included proposals to ban facial recognition in public spaces and predictive policing tools.
