Artificial intelligence regulation could promote innovation rather than hinder it, according to Florian Martin-Bariteau, University of Ottawa’s Chair of Technology and Society, who addressed global leaders at last week’s AI summit in Paris. The summit, held annually since 2023, brings together researchers, AI companies, and world leaders to discuss the rapidly evolving technology.
Martin-Bariteau emphasized that regulation provides a framework for safe innovation, stating, “Not any kind of innovation is good for society.” However, he noted that discussions at the summit lacked concrete commitments, despite the urgent need to address AI’s potential to interfere in global democracies.
The professor’s research, alongside Catherine Régis from the University of Montreal, detailed cases like Romania’s annulled presidential election due to Russian AI-driven misinformation campaigns. Martin-Bariteau warned, “It’s not a question of if AI will interfere in democracies; it almost certainly will.”
While some experts, like lawyer Barry Sookman, caution against over-regulation, others argue that targeted policies can address critical issues like election interference and misinformation without stifling innovation. The conversation on AI regulation continues, with Martin-Bariteau advocating for Canadian political parties to adopt AI codes of conduct before upcoming elections.
Source: Swifteradio.com
