New Delhi: The regulatory outlook surrounding emerging technologies is inherently intertwined with politics, reflecting a base and bias that often serve the interests of those in power. While regulatory frameworks are ostensibly designed to ensure the responsible development and deployment of these technologies, they frequently reflect the political agendas of governing bodies. Whether it’s leveraging emerging technologies for geopolitical advantage, bolstering national security interests, or protecting domestic industries, regulatory decisions are often driven by political considerations rather than purely technical or ethical concerns.
This politicisation of regulatory processes introduces a layer of bias that can shape the trajectory of technological innovation and impact the competitive landscape on a global scale. As such, navigating the regulatory landscape around emerging technologies requires a keen awareness of the political forces at play and a commitment to promoting transparency, fairness, and accountability in regulatory decision-making.
In the midst of a technological and social revolution accelerating at an exponential pace, the emergence and convergence of innovative trends such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, robotics, and augmented and virtual reality are ushering in a new digital era. This era stands apart for the breadth of its influence and the profound impact it has on global systems of human interaction, production, consumption, and the very concept of what humans can do. Its pervasive and nonlinear nature often defies estimation and direction of its consequences.
In the race towards global supremacy, nations are fiercely navigating the complex terrain of regulating emerging technologies, particularly AI. While the United States adopts a regulatory model focusing on user impact rather than the technology itself, the European Union’s approach tends towards micro-management, potentially stifling innovation.
The US model, with its emphasis on the impact of technology on users, serves towards pragmatism in an increasingly digitised world. This approach allows for innovation while safeguarding against adverse effects on individuals and society. Moreover, US regulations are not merely about ensuring technological advancement but also about leveraging emerging technologies for geopolitical power and global reach.
While purporting to regulate emerging technologies with a focus on user impact, the underlying motive is crystal clear: to leverage these advancements for geopolitical dominance and global hegemony. By wielding emerging technologies as tools for political manoeuvring, the US seeks to bolster its economic strength, all the while conveniently ignoring the dire consequences of its reckless fiscal policies, including incessant currency printing and a ballooning national debt. This self-serving approach to regulation serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which the US government will go to maintain its position as the so-called “big brother” of the global stage, regardless of the ethical implications or long-term ramifications.
Conversely, India grapples with the dichotomy of embracing digital innovation while mitigating digital dangers. The nation’s regulators face the monumental task of striking a delicate balance between fostering digital advancement and safeguarding against its social repercussions. Questions surrounding the Indian government’s regulatory role underscore broader concerns about governments worldwide possessing the technological expertise to regulate AI effectively. Skepticism abounds regarding bureaucratic techno-commercial acumen, prompting scrutiny over the impartiality and transparency of regulatory processes. With the proliferation of digital technologies, India stands at a crucial juncture where regulatory frameworks must evolve to address the complexities of the digital age.
While governments have every right to scrutinise tech entities for encroachment into personal and public spaces, the effective execution of regulatory measures is hindered by technical, logistical, and administrative complexities. Furthermore, the ubiquitous nature of AI applications across various sectors poses a challenge for crafting regulations that cater to unique sectoral nuances while maintaining a coherent framework. The global nature of AI development exacerbates the regulatory conundrum, as harmonising efforts across jurisdictions is complicated by divergent cultural norms, legal traditions, and technological capabilities.
AI, hailed as a powerful tool, remains imperfect, with significant imperfections expected to persist. The accuracy and reliability of AI systems hinge crucially on the quality of the data sets they are trained on, making robust data collection and thorough vetting processes imperative. However, imperfect or biased data sets can lead to erroneous conclusions, perpetuating existing prejudices. Large language models (LLMs) hold promise in revolutionising natural language processing but face persistent challenges in reliability. Technical limitations, such as bias and misinformation inherent in training data, hinder their effectiveness. Moreover, LLMs struggle with context and nuance, lacking true comprehension and reasoning capabilities, making them inherently unreliable for the foreseeable future.
In navigating these challenges, policymakers must strike a delicate balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding against potential harms. Collaboration among nations is essential to harmonise regulatory efforts and address the global implications of emerging technologies. Ultimately, the path forward requires a nuanced understanding of technological advancements and a commitment to regulatory frameworks that prioritise both innovation and societal well-being.
The regulation of emerging technologies transcends mere technicalities; it is a strategic urgency for nations vying for supremacy. While collaboration may seem advantageous, the underlying pursuit of uniqueness in each technological aspect drives fierce competition among nations. As such, policymakers must navigate these regulatory waters with foresight, understanding that the trajectory of technological regulation will profoundly shape each nation’s geopolitical standing and economic future.
In this swiftly evolving landscape, the traditional notion of crafting regulations slowly and methodically, with the expectation of their enduring relevance, is rendered obsolete. Regulatory leaders now confront a pressing challenge: how to safeguard citizens, uphold fair market practices, and enforce regulations, while simultaneously fostering the growth of these innovative technologies and businesses. To navigate this unknown black space, new governance frameworks, protocols, and policy systems are imperative for the digital era. These frameworks must ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are inclusive and equitable for all. Regulations must foster innovation and growth while safeguarding the well-being of individuals and the planet.
( The author is a Policy Researcher & Corporate advisor. He tweets @ssmumbai )
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone. The opinions and facts in this article do not represent the stand of News9.)
Emerging tech regulations will have political tone and geopolitical bias
5
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15.03.2024
New Delhi: The regulatory outlook surrounding emerging technologies is inherently intertwined with politics, reflecting a base and bias that often serve the interests of those in power. While regulatory frameworks are ostensibly designed to ensure the responsible development and deployment of these technologies, they frequently reflect the political agendas of governing bodies. Whether it’s leveraging emerging technologies for geopolitical advantage, bolstering national security interests, or protecting domestic industries, regulatory decisions are often driven by political considerations rather than purely technical or ethical concerns.
This politicisation of regulatory processes introduces a layer of bias that can shape the trajectory of technological innovation and impact the competitive landscape on a global scale. As such, navigating the regulatory landscape around emerging technologies requires a keen awareness of the political forces at play and a commitment to promoting transparency, fairness, and accountability in regulatory decision-making.
In the midst of a technological and social revolution accelerating at an exponential pace, the emergence and convergence of innovative trends such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, robotics, and augmented and virtual reality are ushering in a new digital era. This era stands apart for the breadth of its influence and the profound impact it has on global systems of human interaction, production, consumption, and the very concept of what humans can do. Its pervasive and nonlinear nature often defies estimation and direction of its consequences.
In the race towards global supremacy, nations are fiercely navigating the complex terrain of regulating emerging technologies, particularly AI. While the United States adopts a regulatory model........
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