The United States has traditionally taken a more permissionless approach to new technologies, allowing entrepreneurs to connect directly with consumers in the market, while Europe has taken a more regulatory approach that requires government approval first.
Europe seems to be continuing its more regulatory approach when it comes to AI, but will the United States continue its less regulatory one? What impact might regulations around issues like privacy or content moderation have on the development of AI around the globe? With the EU and UK already acting on AI, is the United States risking losing global policy leadership through its policy inaction?
Like many general-purpose technologies, we should be hesitant of the rush to regulate AI out of fear or disruption. We also must consider the benefits as well as risks when it comes to new technologies and their accompanying policy framework. How can we take the lessons of the United States’ leadership in technology and technology in the past and apply them to this latest technology?