Politico

Long a hobbyhorse for futurists and sci-fi authors, the prospect of a catastrophe precipitated by AI has lawmakers asking who would pay for the damage. Wired recently reported that OpenAI is backing an Illinois state bill that would protect frontier AI companies from liability for causing serious widespread injury that affects more than 100 people or does more than $1 billion in property damage, such as in the case of a chemical, biological or nuclear catastrophe.

The 2017 “alternative facts” statement made by the White House was a turning point. We are now in a place where the person who gets their version of the truth out fastest and biggest wins. The fact that President Trump has a social network he calls “Truth Social” is not an accident. He wants to own the word “truth.” We’re past the point where there’s a singular truth or a singular fact.

President Donald Trump wants Congress to help the artificial intelligence industry by passing a law that blocks state efforts to regulate the technology. But his latest plan is getting a frosty reception on Capitol Hill. The President recently unveiled a proposal urging Congress to enact legislation that would preempt state AI laws. Unlike previous attempts by Republicans to block state rules, the plan also includes guardrails on how the technology affects electricity costs, kids safety, free speech and copyright.

The White House’s approach to AI development has been marked by a consistent opposition to almost any significant regulation of the tech industry. Led for many months by AI czar David Sacks, the White House believes that any policy that might restrict AI companies’ ability to grow — and grow quickly — is handing a consequential advantage to China. That attitude has led to a divide within the Republican Party on the issue of AI development, which is now widening and deepening.