In an interview, Prabhakar discussed the potential benefits and risks of AI, the need for increased government funding and a different relationship with the industry, and the importance of managing bias in AI tools. She also touched on the use of AI in government, the Biden administration's efforts to revive the US semiconductor industry, and the president's Cancer Moonshot initiative. Prabhakar acknowledged the challenges in recruiting a chief technology officer due to potential financial conflicts of interest.
Key takeaways:
- Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, has been instrumental in educating top officials about the transformative power of AI and pushing for its regulation.
- Prabhakar demonstrated the capabilities of AI to President Joe Biden using ChatGPT, which led to the president issuing a sweeping executive order to set a regulatory course for AI.
- The executive order mandates safety standards, boosts innovation, promotes AI in government and education, and tries to mitigate job losses.
- Prabhakar is also working on the Biden administration's centerpiece for reviving the US-based chip industry, the CHIPS Act, which provides more than $50 billion to grow the industry.