“It’s the present.”
This was stated by the two speakers at the Assembly of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA) held at the Capitol in San Juan. The event, which had been paused since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was able to take place with the arrival of more than 100 delegates from various countries.
Although this tool is widely used in different academic institutions, workplaces, and research projects, the experts noted that “it is a discussion in itself, a very deep topic to comment on.”
Professor Daniel Zhang from Stanford University, who led the seminar titled “The Latest Advances and Implications of AI Technology: What Governments Should Be Doing,” emphasized the importance of ensuring the proper use of this tool, which is used by students, professors, and others.
“If we’re still dealing with issues at the level of how to interact with AI, how do we start that discussion globally, and make sure our voices are heard at the table? Because all those discussions in the global community will usually impact smaller states,” said Zhang, who also noted that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched its first recommendations for the use of AI in various companies.
The event will conclude today, Wednesday, with parliamentary delegations from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Jamaica, the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
Will AI be regulated in Puerto Rico?
Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, José Luis Dalmau, questioned Zhang, a member of the UNESCO High-Level Expert Group on AI Ethics, about how to regulate artificial intelligence in Puerto Rico. This inquiry was raised due to recent reports that hackers had obtained information from Puerto Rican phones to learn what Puerto Ricans consume, with the aim of consulting foreign companies that invest in the stock market on products they could sell in Puerto Rico.
In response to the question, Zhang replied, “There are two parts to what the government should do, and we can divide it into investment and creation. I think that’s what the government should do—invest on a certain scale. I don’t think every country should develop its own ChatGPT; that’s not what I’m saying. When it comes to regulation, one should focus on the application and the models. The models are not the best, but the application part is important, where the contacts are.”
The event also featured lawyer and professor Christian Moriarty from St. Petersburg College in Florida, who led a workshop titled “Artificial Intelligence in Governance: Ethical Considerations for Effective Policy.”
In a conversation that lasted over an hour, Moriarty shared examples from his classes, emphasizing the increased use of tools in classrooms over the years. However, he was clear in inviting the public not to view this tool negatively but as an aid, “as long as it is used properly.”
He exemplified the arrival of Wikipedia in January 2001, recalling how many of his colleagues said the tool would mark the end of education. He stressed, however, that education remains important globally.
Moriarty, who teaches ethics and law, mentioned that laws have already been created using ChatGPT, opening up the use of this tool in governance. When asked if there is a growing concern about this practice, he said, “Yes, it is a concern. Every time you try to regulate artificial intelligence, in trying to make it work, it improves storage. We probably can’t keep up with it at a legislative pace. What we can say is that we can regulate the transparency in which we are operating; at least we can regulate it. We need to understand (ChatGPT’s use) better.”
ChatGPT’s Response
By the end of 2023, OpenAI’s ChatGPT had over 100 million active users, according to a report, with the company asserting that “the number has likely grown as the tool continues to gain popularity.”
Furthermore, they mentioned that the idea of regulating tools like ChatGPT in Puerto Rico (or anywhere else) “can have both positive and challenging aspects, and it depends on how such regulation is implemented.” One of the positive aspects, according to the company, includes privacy and security protection, transparency and accountability, prevention of misinformation, and social justice and accessibility. However, they also noted some challenges that may arise, such as the risk of excessive regulation, competition impact, technical challenges, and implementation risks.
Regarding regulation, the company emphasized that “it could be beneficial for Puerto Rico, especially if it focuses on protecting users, transparency, and fairness. However, it must be done carefully and with a balanced vision to avoid stifling innovation or facing legal or technical challenges that are difficult to manage.”
