The rise of the internet and AI has brought about a unique challenge: an unprecedented lack of regulation. This is a bold statement, but one that highlights the core issue at hand. The internet, a creation of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has become an immense, ungoverned space with immense power at our fingertips. With more data generated daily than in all of human history until the turn of the millennium, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Our future lies in the balance between the physical world and a virtual civilization that is ever-evolving.
The internet, which gained popularity in the 1990s, transformed our lives, but it also brought forth a dark side. The Dark Web serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking online. Despite the existence of various governing bodies with acronyms like IGF, IAB, ICANN, IETF, and WSC, there is a lack of consensus on rules for this virtual realm.
Silicon Valley and other innovation hubs, with their First Amendment absolutism, have resisted a cohesive global governance structure for the internet. This has resulted in a fragmented internet, with different spheres of influence, and a myriad of challenges.
And this is where AI enters the picture, transforming and transmogrifying our world. The difference between the dotcom boom and AI is the foundation upon which it is built. The internet took a quarter-century to reach its current ubiquity, but AI is being grafted onto the existing digital infrastructure created by the internet. The devices, networks, and data streams are already in place, and the global population is ready for this new era.
The acceleration is not just linear; it's geometric. This rapid pace leaves governments struggling to comprehend and regulate a force with unknown societal and economic impacts. Leaving AI unregulated, as was done in the 1990s, would be a historical mistake.
Global AI summits, starting with the UK under Rishi Sunak and moving to France under Macron, have been vital diplomatic efforts. They've recognized the transformative power of AI, but have yet to reach a binding consensus. The current landscape is a patchwork of approaches, creating a precarious situation that hinders global security and innovation.
The European Union, known for its regulatory ambition, has enacted its AI Act, a significant step, but one taken alone. The US, on the other hand, maintains an antagonistic stance towards stringent regulation, favoring an innovation-centric model that creates a regulatory vacuum.
Meanwhile, technology marches on. The integration of AI into our lives is happening rapidly, from ChatGPT to Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini. AI is no longer a developer's tool; it's becoming an integral part of our daily functions.
The upcoming India AI-Impact Summit in New Delhi aims to set the stage for the future of AI governance. The objective is not to create an exhaustive legal code, but to establish foundational principles. The disruption brought by AI is inevitable and, in many ways, desirable. Regulation should not limit growth but guide it, ensuring that the benefits are shared equitably and the destructive forces are minimized.
These principles should be built on several core pillars. First, there must be a global commitment to safety, security, and robustness, especially for powerful AI models. Second, transparency and explainability must be prioritized, allowing citizens and regulators to understand AI usage. Third, a global consensus on data governance and privacy is essential to protect individual autonomy. Fourth, ethical boundaries must be established to prevent AI from violating human rights.
The term 'to Google' may soon become obsolete, a reminder of how quickly things can change. This is just the beginning; the true revolution awaits with the integration of AI into physical robotics and the Internet of Things.
Manish Tewari, Lok Sabha MP and former I&B Minister, highlights the importance of this discussion and the need for a global approach to AI governance.
