In the wake of ChatGPT 3.5, Google Bard, and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms that have gained interest from CEOs, CHROs, and general counsels, HR Policy Association hosted a webinar to address the integration of AI into organizations, including the implications for HR. Additionally, the webinar provided an overview of how generative AI tools can be deployed into the workplace and examined the regulatory environment and future expectations for regulatory action and government involvement.
Dave Sohigian, Global CTO, Workday, kicked off the webinar with an overview of the distinctions between AI and machine learning. Mr. Sohigian spoke of the “Hype Cycle” of new technology adoption and the importance of uniform data sets when integrating AI into a company’s enterprise.
Christina Montgomery, Vice President and Chief Privacy and Trust officer, IBM Corporation, noted “companies need to adopt a set of principles around AI and how you are going to use AI.” She spoke about her experience developing governance principles around AI and its uses, and how it is important for AI to “augment and not replace humans.” Additionally, Ms. Montgomery spoke of how to manage the risks of AI, including important questions for HR to ask regarding the AI tools it is using, and the importance of adopting guardrails for foundation models (i.e., models that have broad capabilities and can be adapted to different uses) and generative AI.
“This isn’t just a question for regulators, this is a question for business” noted Dr. Travis Hall, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Policy and Development, U.S. Department of Commerce, when discussing the liability that comes with using AI and the importance of accountability in choosing an AI platform to integrate into your company. Dr. Hall’s recommendation is to prepare your systems to be held accountable as “more regulation and more guidance is coming” and to develop internal benchmarks for the safe use of AI.
Regulation is coming, but slowly: In October 2022, The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, aiming to “guide the design, development, and deployment of AI.” Most recently, Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) released the “Safe Innovation Framework for AI Policy” a broad, open-ended plan for regulating AI. Senator Schumer noted that Congress is “starting from scratch” and has indicated that it will likely be several months before any AI legislation is adopted.
HR Policy members can access a recording of the full webinar here.
