Preventing AI Safety Politicization
Introduction
In contemporary American society, issues are often politicized by default. Topics that were once politically neutral, such as public health, have become subjects of extreme political animosity. Fortunately, AI safety has largely evaded this trend so far. While there are vocal movements on both sides of the issue, major political parties do not have clear stances on it.
If AI safety becomes a partisan issue, the potential for disastrous outcomes arises. In the worst-case scenario, if one party opposes AI safety measures, it could hinder efforts to avert dangers from autonomous models or those enabling malicious actors. Thus, preventing AI safety from becoming politicized is an urgent priority.
This article will explore the likelihood of politicization leading to disaster and suggest tentative measures to prevent it, drawing on lessons from past issues that avoided significant politicization and relevant findings from the political communication literature.
Main Takeaways
Here are the most important or underexplored suggestions for preventing the politicization of AI safety:
- Aim for a neutral relationship with the AI ethics community, neither aligning with nor opposing it.
- Create a confidential incident database for AI labs.
- Host deliberative expert forums.
- Seek additional advice from experts on politicization.
How Serious Would Politicization Be?
The danger in politicization lies in the potential for opposition to AI safety to become part of a political party’s ideology. The extent and seriousness of this opposition could significantly impact legislation.
Using the punctuated-equilibrium framework from Agendas and Instability in American Politics, issues can exist in one of two states:
- Closed Policy Subsystem: A small set of actors dominates an issue, framing it in technocratic, non-controversial terms.
- Macropolitical Arena: The issue becomes a partisan debate, leading to dramatic policy changes based on ideological justifications.
Several factors can shift an issue into the macropolitical arena:
- Dramatic events (e.g., crises, scandals, disasters)
- Media reframing with new moral or symbolic narratives
- Social movements or advocacy coalitions
The example of gun control illustrates this pattern. Prior to the 1980s, gun control was viewed as a public safety issue. However, after a pivotal NRA convention in 1977, the focus shifted to defending the right to bear arms, resulting in heightened partisanship and extreme laws. A similar scenario could unfold with AI safety, leading to severe weakening of safety regulations.
Preventing Politicization
To mitigate the risk of politicization, several strategies can be employed:
Framing and Presentation
- Use Clear, Universal Language: Present AI safety in straightforward terms, appealing to shared values like concern for future generations.
- Avoid Association with Existing Culture-War Issues: Be cautious of framing AI safety within divisive political narratives.
- Encourage a Wide Range of Voices: Prevent any single group from becoming the symbolic owner of AI safety by fostering cross-partisan agreement.
- Objective Measurements: Utilize standardized safety evaluations to provide data that informs discussions.
Disseminating Information
Ensuring clear communication among various stakeholders is crucial:
- Among Labs: Share safety information to provide a comprehensive view of the state of AI safety.
- Among Politicians: Conduct annual bipartisan briefings and legislate mandatory reporting of safety incidents.
- Among the Public: Clearly communicate existing cases of AI misalignment and develop independent organizations for updates on AI safety.
Efforts by Insiders
Proactive measures can be taken by industry experts to prevent politicization:
- Deliberative Expert Forums: Gather experts and citizens to discuss complex issues before they become partisan debates.
- Self-Regulation: AI labs can collaborate on establishing standards, as seen in past summits focused on AI safety.
Conclusion
While the suggestions outlined in this article are tentative, there is significant potential for productive work in this area. Engaging experts in political communication and navigating the complexities of AI safety politicization is essential for a safer future.
