AI, Government and the Future

The AI Equation

AI, Government and the Future

Welcome to our weekly dive into the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on the U.S. Government!

AI is progressing at an incredible pace, and we're just scratching the surface. With so much information out there, it can be overwhelming to keep up.

We're here to provide you with insightful analysis and a concise summary, delivered to you on a regular basis. Stay informed, stay up-to-date, and join us on this thrilling journey into the future of AI.

Recap Episode Sixteen of AI Government and the Future: George R. DelPrete

In the sixteenth episode of AI, Government, and the Future George R. DelPrete, Managing Director at Cherry Bekaert, discussed the challenges and opportunities of IT modernization and AI in the federal government. He provided insights on the struggle with legacy systems, the potential of AI in change management and decision-making, and the critical need for governance and training. 

Click the links below: 

Spotlight

Major AI Bill Faces Opposition from Big Tech in California

California legislators are considering SB 1047, a bill that would regulate AI development and deployment in the state. The bill mandates safety testing for advanced AI models, kill switches, third-party audits, and whistleblower protections, with the state attorney general empowered to sue non-compliant developers. While tech giants like Alphabet and Meta oppose the bill, citing potential hindrances to AI development and threats to open-source models, it has gained support from AI pioneers such as Geoffrey Hinton, who is known as the ‘godfather of AI’ and Yoshua Bengio. Having passed the state Senate, the bill now awaits a vote in the full Assembly.

The Number 

$74.4 Billion 

The AI surveillance system market is rapidly growing as demand for advanced security solutions rises across various sectors. These systems use AI to enhance traditional surveillance, enabling automated detection, analysis, and response to threats. Valued for real-time data processing, pattern recognition, and predictive analytics, AI-powered surveillance is increasingly adopted by businesses and governments. The market is projected to grow from $16.12 billion in 2024 to $74.4 billion by 2032. 

In-Depth 

Cheyenne Mayoral Candidate Loses Race with AI Chatbot

Victor Miller, the first political candidate to run with an AI chatbot on the ballot, lost his mayoral race in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Miller's AI chatbot, VIC, was intended to make all office decisions while Miller acted as a “meat avatar.” Incumbent Mayor Patrick Collins won with 6,286 votes, while Miller received just327. Despite the loss, Miller called his campaign "historic" and announced the formation of the Rational Governance Alliance. OpenAI, which developed VIC’s software, prohibits its use in political campaigns. Miller’s campaign drew attention but also faced criticism, and he plans to continue advocating for AI-powered governance.

Local Governments Struggle to Keep Pace with AI Adoption

AI adoption in municipal governments lags behind the private sector due to budget constraints, resistance to change, legacy systems, privacy concerns, and a lack of technical expertise.  The erosion of knowledge further contributes to inefficiencies.  Despite these challenges, AI can greatly benefit local governments by streamlining processes, increasing transparency, and analyzing unstructured data available for valuable insights. AI has the potential to transform local government operations by saving time, enhancing collaboration, and modernizing operations. However, many local government offices are still slow to adopt AI.