Episode 17: Austin Jenkins on the State-by-State Challenge to Regulate AI
This week in the Responsible AI podcast from The AI Forum we dive into the dynamic world of AI regulation with award-winning journalist Austin Jenkins. As states race to regulate AI technologies, they are becoming the new battlegrounds for policy innovation.
Austin shares his insights on how state legislatures are stepping up to fill the regulatory void left by Congress. "The states are where the action is," he notes, highlighting the proactive measures being taken at the state level to address AI's societal impacts—even as President Trump’s executive order on AI changes the focus.
In this episode, we explore the fascinating landscape of state-level AI laws, from California's groundbreaking chatbot regulations to Illinois' efforts to combat algorithmic discrimination. Austin provides a compelling narrative on how these laws are not just about controlling technology but also about protecting citizens, especially children, from potential harms.
With states like California leading the charge, could AI regulation be the gateway to broader social media regulation? This question looms large as we consider the implications of state actions on national policy, particularly in safeguarding young users.
Join us as we unravel the complexities of AI regulation and its potential ripple effects across other tech sectors. Austin's expertise sheds light on the motivations behind these legislative efforts and the challenges they face from industry opposition.
More information:
Topics
01:09 Austin Jenkins: A Journalist's Journey
03:36 The State of AI Regulation
07:11 Chatbot Regulation and Child Safety
09:34 State vs. Federal Regulation Dynamics
12:57 Industry Influence on AI Legislation
16:20 Deepfakes and Political Advertising
18:01 Children's Safety and Social Media Regulation
20:14 Algorithmic Discrimination and Employment
23:46 Private Right of Action in AI Regulation
26:16 Comparing US and EU AI Regulation
29:16 The Future of AI Regulation
32:40 The Role of AI in Journalism
About Austin Jenkins: Austin covers infrastructure and the disruption industry for Pluribus News, a digital news site focused on emerging policy trends in states and state legislatures. Austin is also the longtime host of “Inside Olympia” on TVW, Washington State's C-SPAN network. Previously, Austin spent nearly two decades covering the Washington State legislature and state politics for Northwest NPR stations. Prior to that, Austin worked as a television news reporter.
He earned his B.A. in government from Connecticut College and his Master in Communication from the Communication Leadership program at the University of Washington. Austin is a proud inductee of the UW School of Communication Hall of Fame.
Connect with Austin Jenkins.
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