On 13 September 2023, Washington will host a closed-door listening session of prominent figures from the technology industry and lawmakers.Their focus?Delving into the implications of AI and its future regulation.

This gathering is a part of the initiative led by US Senator Chuck Schumer, who has orchestrated the meeting to convene leaders from tech giants. Expected attendees include leading figures like Elon Musk of Tesla, Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Satya Nadella of Microsoft. They will be joined by Jensen Huang, the CEO of chip maker Nvidia, and Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google.

This meeting is just one of the sessions in a series of planned gatherings where different stakeholders will come together to provide theirdiverse perspectives, contributing to the development of balanced and comprehensive regulations in the United States.

In addition to the tech leaders, civil rights and labour groups, as well as representatives from the creative community, will also participate in the (future) discussions. These groups will have a chance to provide valuable perspectives on the societal impacts of AI and potential implications for civil rights and workers' rights.

Why does it matter?

The purpose of these sessions is to provide members of Congress with insights into the impact of AI on various areas.

Future of work:One of the key concerns is the potential effect of AI on jobs. Lawmakers will be informed about the risks AI poses to employment and the need for measures to protect workers in the face of automation.

Content policy:Disinformation is another significant concern. Lawmakers aim to understand how AI can contribute to spreading false information and explore ways to mitigate this risk.

Intellectual property (IP):IP theft is also on the agenda, with lawmakers seeking guidance on formulating regulations to address this issue and protect innovation.

Beyond risks, what are its opportunities?Senator Schumer's office has emphasised that lawmakers will also be educated about the opportunities that AI presents. One area of interest is research on diseases. AI has the potential to accelerate progress in disease research by processing vast amounts of medical data and identifying patterns or potential treatments.