Jeopardy host: In the category
Technology, systems (usually software) capable of perceiving an
environment through data acquisition and then processing and interpreting the
derived information to take action or imitate intelligent behavior given a
specified goal.
Watson: What is Artificial Intelligence?
Many years ago, I went through a period of
reading Isaac Asimov’s novels about robots, the kind that exhibited human
functions, what we would call androids today. His first robot novel I, Robot
was a collection of short stories about robots with human-like personalities
that performed various jobs, like childcare for example. Robots and androids have been a staple of literature
from ancient times (search “Robots in Literature”), and most of us are familiar
with those of the Star Wars anthology. We aren’t quite at the C3-PO
stage yet, but the artificial intelligence that the robots of science fiction
exhibited has become a reality with the development of high-powered computers
today.
We are surrounded by artificial
intelligence, also known as “AI”, whether we recognize it or not. The first AI algorithm was created and used
successfully to master the game of checkers in 1956 by Dartmouth scholars. Fast
forward to 2011 and IBM’s supercomputer, dubbed “Watson”, competed against two Jeopardy
champions, and won. The dialog at the top of this column did not actually take
place, but it serves to define what AI is. Today we use AI to guide us to
destinations, predict the weather, translate languages, for facial recognition,
and many other applications. AI is used for scientific research, medical
diagnoses, autonomous vehicles, and more; and the government, including the
Defense Department, funds advanced research in AI. AI is the source of many benefits, but it can
also pose a risk if it is used improperly.
For example, ubiquitous use of facial recognition threatens our
expectations of personal privacy. And systems that determine eligibility for
services can have built in biases.
Already, AI is creating a wave of economic
growth in Vermont with high-paying jobs in this field. The legislature
recognizes both the economic potential and the potential for abuse associated
with AI development and use. Act 137 of
2018 created an Artificial Intelligence Task Force to investigate the field of artificial
intelligence in the State and make recommendations on the responsible growth of
Vermont’s emerging technology markets, the use of artificial intelligence in
State government, and State regulation of the artificial intelligence field.
The task force’s report was issued in January 2020 and can be found at https://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Legislative-Reports/Artificial-Intelligence-Task-Force-Final-Report-1.15.2020.pdf.
The report states that "there is in
fact a role for local and state action, especially where national and
international action is not occurring. Large scale technological change makes
states rivals for the economic rewards, [whereas] inaction leaves states
behind. States can become leaders in crafting appropriate responses to
technological change that eventually produces policy and action around the
country."
Members of my committee, Energy and
Technology, worked on a bill, H.410, over the summer that implements some of
the recommendations of the Task Force, and we voted it out of committee last
week. It creates an AI Commission under the auspices of the Agency of Digital
Services, and requires a survey of all software applications purchased,
developed, or used by State agencies or departments. We want to know if any
applications use AI, how it is used, and the potential impacts on Vermont
citizens. The bill is awaiting action by the Appropriations Committee and will eventually
be voted on by the full House.
As always, I welcome your emails (myantachka.dfa@gmail.com) or phone calls (802-233-5238).
