US President Biden Cautions Against 'Potential Risks' Of AI To Society, Economy And National Security

United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (4 March) cautioned against the "potential risks" of artificial intelligence (AI) to the society, economy and national security.

In a meeting with with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Biden highlighted the opportunities and the risks of artificial intelligence.

"AI can help deal with some very difficult challenges like disease and climate change, but we also have to address the potential risks to our society, to our economy, to our national security," he said.

When asked by reporters if he thinks AI is dangerous, Biden said, "It remains to be seen. It could be".

Biden said that in October last year, his administration had proposed a bill of rights to "ensure the important protections are built into the AI systems from the start, not have to go back to do it".

"Tech companies have a responsibility, in my view, to make sure their products are safe before making them public," Biden said.

He cited social media as an example of how powerful technologies can cause harm without the "right safeguards in place". 

"Absent safeguards, we see the impact on the mental health and self-images and feelings and hopelessness, especially among young people," he said.

Biden reiterated his earlier recommendations that the US Congress pass laws putting "strict limits" on personal data collected by tech companies, banning advertising targeted at children and to mandate them put health and safety first in the products that they build.