Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are jointly pushing to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) companies no longer have a free ride on the information superhighway. Their proposed legislation, called the “No Section 230 Immunity for AI Act,” seeks to amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, effectively stripping generative AI companies of their legal immunity for content created by users or machines.
Since its inception, Section 230 has been the internet’s shield, allowing companies like Facebook and Twitter to blossom. It has granted immunity to websites hosting user-generated content from being held accountable for what their users post or upload. However, this legislation has not come without its fair share of controversy, with critics arguing that it has permitted harmful content to persist online, unchecked and unregulated.
Hawley, Blumenthal Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Consumers and Deny AI Companies Section 230 Immunityhttps://t.co/tlTseLEFxo
— Senator Hawley Press Office (@SenHawleyPress) June 14, 2023
What Hawley and Blumenthal propose would substantially alter the landscape. If passed, this bill will change how AI companies operate, holding them accountable for the harm caused by AI-generated content, like highly lifelike falsified images or videos called “deepfakes.”
In a joint statement, the senators highlighted the necessity for such accountability. “We can’t make the same mistakes with generative AI as we did with Big Tech on Section 230,” Hawley stated. Blumenthal echoed this sentiment, adding, “AI companies should be forced to take responsibility for business decisions as they’re developing products—without any Section 230 legal shield.”
The new bill extends beyond merely holding AI companies accountable. It also aims to provide legal recourse for those harmed by AI models by allowing them to sue AI companies in federal or state court. This measure promises to bring justice to the victims and ensure AI companies cannot shirk their responsibilities.
However, the proposal has its critics. Some argue that stripping AI companies of Section 230 protection could stifle innovation, leading to a deluge of lawsuits that could cripple these businesses. Considering the rapid pace of technological advancements, there’s also the question of how effective such laws would be.
Regardless, this new legislation represents a significant shift in the digital landscape. It could set a precedent for future regulations targeting emerging technologies, even as debates around the role of AI in our lives continue to evolve.
In a rapidly advancing digital age, the legislation offers a necessary step toward ensuring that tech companies consider the consequences of their creations. As Senator Blumenthal pointed out, the proposed bill is the first step to “write the rules of AI and establish safeguards as we enter this new era.”
While the future of the No Section 230 Immunity for AI Act remains uncertain, it marks a decisive move to increase accountability in the world of AI, opening up a broader conversation about the role of technology and responsibility in today’s society.
