AI Briefing: Senators propose new regulations for privacy, transparency and copyright protections

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday held a hearing to address a range of concerns about the intersection of AI and privacy. While some lawmakers expressed concern about AI accelerating risks – such as online surveillance, scams, hyper-targeting ads and discriminatory business practices — others cautioned regulations might further protect tech giants and burden smaller businesses.

According to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the risks of AI could accelerate risks to consumers related to social media and digital advertising. Just like the growth of online ads was powered by data, Cantwell worries tech companies will train AI models with sensitive data and use that information against consumers. She said a restaurant in her home state was reportedly giving reservations based on data about a potential guest’s income.

“If they don’t really have enough money to buy a bottle of wine, they are giving the reservation to someone else,” said Cantwell. “Without a strong privacy law, when the public data runs out, nothing is stopping them from using our private data … I’m very concerned that the ability to collect vast amounts of personal data about individuals, and create inferences about them quickly at very low cost, can be used in harmful ways, like charging consumers different prices for the same product.”

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