The Federal Trade Commission announces…

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan and officials from three other federal agencies jointly pledged today to uphold America’s commitment to the core principles of fairness, equality, and justice as emerging automated systems, including those sometimes marketed as “artificial intelligence” or “AI,” become increasingly common in our daily lives – impacting civil rights, fair competition, consumer protection, and equal opportunity.

Chair Khan and officials with the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released their joint statement outlining a commitment to enforce their respective laws and regulations to promote responsible innovation in automated systems.

All four agencies have previously expressed concerns about potentially harmful uses of automated systems and resolved to vigorously enforce their collective authorities and to monitor the development and use of automated systems.

I haven’t touched upon AI much because it’s a big topic with lots of sharp edges but here’s where my worlds collide. Last month one of my daughter, my mom and I testified at the MN Legislature to support the Equal Rights Amendment. One of the things my mom mentioned was not being able to get a credit card without my dad’s signature when they were first married. (She had a full time job.) My dad did not need her signature. That is the sort of nuance that could so easily be “taught” to AI decision makers. Suddenly our age, gender, zip code can impact the services we can receive. It’s good to know that policymakers are thinking about it.