October 19, 2017

The Policy Dimension of Leading in AI

By: Elsa B. Kania

The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is creating new challenges for law, policy, and governance at domestic and international levels. Although advances in AI could causeproductivity growth and spark a new industrial revolution, current trends in robotics and automation will likely cause unprecedented economic dislocation, particularly by replacing low-skilled jobs. Projected to increase GDP by 14% as of 2030, AI is on track to become a critical accelerant of global economic growth. Yet the greatest economic benefits from AI will likely go to China and the United States, with more modest gains in growth and productivity for developing countries. Such uneven distribution of AI’s benefits could exacerbate inequality, resulting in higher concentrations of wealth within and among nations. In addition, algorithmic bias tends to compound human and systemic biases, compounding societal inequities. Concurrently, international competition to leverage military applications of AI has provoked concerns of an “AI arms race.” Looking forward, these trends could disrupt domestic and international politics alike.

Read the full op-ed in Lawfare.

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