FIRE statement on the White House’s AI framework

Today, the White House released its national framework for artificial intelligence.

The following statement can be attributed to FIRE Legislative Counsel for AI and Free Expression John Coleman:

FIRE appreciates the proposed protections for expressive rights embodied in the Trump administration's new policy framework for artificial intelligence. There are elements that warrant caution and scrutiny, and the devil will inevitably be in the details. But FIRE supports several aspects of the proposal that, if enacted, would go a long way to protecting free speech rights in the AI era. 

The White House properly recognizes AI developers should not be penalized for third-party misuse, a welcome and important step to protecting the expressive rights of people who use and develop AI. Echoing FIRE’s longstanding concerns about coerced censorship, the framework also recommends legislation prohibiting the government from pressuring tech companies to censor (or speak) based on partisan agendas, and that Americans should have legal recourse if the government censors or compels expression on AI platforms.

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FIRE looks forward to working with the administration and Congress to achieve these and other important goals as well as to address a few recommendations we found problematic. For example, the framework includes language about age verification that requires users to prove their identity to access information. This “papers, please” approach to speech online raises significant First Amendment concerns. FIRE also asks legislators and policymakers to take seriously other threats the government's use of AI may present to freedom of expression — for example, taking action to prohibit mass surveillance, which chills a variety of expressive activity.

We should be wary of government regulation of new expressive technologies, regardless of who is in the White House or who holds the gavel. History demonstrates elected officials on both sides of the aisle too often shortchange Americans’ First Amendment and privacy rights in these debates. There’s hard work ahead, but this proposal is a good start. As always, FIRE will ensure elected officials keep Americans’ expressive rights at the forefront of the legislative and policy discussions to come.