Regulators spotlight AI on both sides of the pond

While the European Union made headlines as it moved toward implementing AI guardrails, President Joe Biden went to bat over an emissions-cutting rule, rideshare giants got mail from Capitol Hill, and the Senate heard testimony on AI and human rights.

Here’s our roundup of news at the intersection of tech and politics:

Artificial intelligence: Europe took a step toward AI regulations last week with a European Parliament vote on the AI Act, a proposed law that would establish requirements for AI makers and users based on risk levels.

The draft law bans AI systems considered an “unacceptable risk,” including “real-time and remote biometric identification systems, such as facial recognition.” It also outlines “high-risk” AI, defined as “AI systems that negatively affect safety or fundamental rights,” in toys, cars, and medical devices, as well as in law enforcement and border control.

“All high-risk AI systems will be assessed before being put on the market and also throughout their lifecycle,” the draft noted.

The European Parliament’s approval of the draft is part of a process that will include talks between EU member countries before a final version of the law is agreed to, expected by the end of the year.

In the US, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee held a hearing on AI and human rights. Senators heard testimony from experts from the AI world and Jennifer DeStefano, who was the victim of an AI-assisted scam. She received a call using a deepfake of her teen daughter’s voice, leading her to believe her daughter had been kidnapped.

Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, discussed the use of AI in facial recognition by law enforcement (including in the US) and generative AI’s impact on elections and democracy. She also made recommendations for congressional action, including that developers of AI systems designed to work in “high-risk settings” could be required to disclose “how their tools are developed and designed and require testing for elements such as safety, validity, explainability, nondiscrimination, and privacy.”

“I hope the key takeaway of today’s hearing is this: At a time when many are discussing the existential risks of AI, there are concrete issues on which Congress and the executive branch can act right now, and in doing so demonstrate how AI can be governed in a way that centers human rights,” Givens said.

Going green: Biden vetoed a congressional resolution intended to nix a 2022 EPA rule that places restrictions on certain types of pollutants from heavy-duty trucks. Environmental groups have slammed the rule as not going far enough, but Republicans (and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin) moved to overturn it, arguing it would place “new financial burdens on the trucking industry,” resulting in nationwide price hikes.

“The rule cuts pollution, boosts public health, and advances environmental justice in communities across the country,” Biden said in a message announcing the veto. “This resolution would deny communities these health benefits by resulting in weaker emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles and engines, which are significant sources of pollutants that threaten public health.”

Lyft letters: A group of senators sent letters to the heads of Uber and Lyft seeking information about anti-trafficking measures on the platforms.

Both letters expressed “[Concern] that the measures taken to date are insufficient to address trafficking on the company’s ride-hailing service,” pointing to cost-cutting measures at Lyft and Uber’s recent announcement that unaccompanied minors will now be able to hail a ride.

The senators requested both companies provide written answers to a set of questions about the steps they take to ensure their services aren’t used for human trafficking, how drivers are trained to “recognize and prevent human trafficking,” and what resources are provided to riders.