Artificial intelligence now influences who gets jobs, apartments, and healthcare in the U.S. But as lawmakers push to rein in AI bias, they’re caught in a tug-of-war between tech giants and civil rights advocates.
The Big Picture: A Patchwork of Proposals
Over 400 AI-related bills are swirling in state legislatures this year. While most target niche issues like election deepfakes, major proposals in Colorado, Connecticut, and Texas aim broader: requiring companies to audit AI systems for discrimination risks. Think résumé-screening tools that downgrade women or medical algorithms that fail Black patients.
Innovation vs. Accountability
TechNet, a lobbying group for CEOs, argues bills must 'allow innovation to flourish,' while unions fear companies will self-police poorly. ‘You’re giving them an extra boot to push down on workers,’ warns Colorado’s AFL-CIO rep. Meanwhile, impact assessments—reports detailing AI’s role in decisions—could expose trade secrets or become lawsuit fuel, critics say.
The Lawsuit Dilemma
Who gets to sue? Most bills limit this power to state attorneys general, not citizens. Workday endorsed California’s bill only after public lawsuits were axed. But critics fire back: ‘Suing is how we assert rights in America,’ says AI ethics prof Sorelle Friedler.
The bottom line: With 83% of employers using AI for hiring, the stakes are sky-high. As Brown University’s Suresh Venkatasubramanian puts it: ‘You have to do something explicit to not be biased.’
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