What We Can Learn About Regulating AI from the Military
The increasing reliance on AI in various sectors such as restaurants and news publishing for everyday operations and addresses the associated risks and regulatory challenges. It proposes a military-inspired approach to mitigate these risks by regulating not just the technology but also its users and their organizations. The military's system includes thorough training, qualifications, SOPs, and clear delineation of authority to manage the use of powerful technologies, which can be adapted for civilian AI use. The suggestion is to implement a qualification regime to limit access to AI systems to trained and vetted users to enhance safety and accountability. The article acknowledges the potential drawbacks of such a system, including barriers to access and bureaucratic overhead, but argues that the risks of unregulated AI use necessitate action. It calls for governments and professional societies to start documenting AI incidents, pilot qualification mechanisms, and improving AI literacy as proactive steps toward a safer integration of AI into society.