Across the US, the landscape of artificial intelligence is constantly evolving.

While AI is increasingly being used for routine tasks, some industries are resisting certain aspects of the technology. However, industry leaders are working to strike a balance between its benefits and drawbacks.

"The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director, Jen Easterly, stated that they are examining critical infrastructure owners and operators, as well as businesses in the water, health care, transportation, and communication sectors, who are beginning to incorporate AI capabilities. Their goal is to ensure that these integrations are done in a way that minimizes new risks."

A survey by Deloitte found that uncertainty over government regulations was a bigger concern for business leaders than actually implementing AI technology. When asked about the main obstacle to deploying AI tools, 36% cited regulatory compliance as the top issue, 30% mentioned difficulty managing risks, and 29% said they lacked a governance model.

Despite the risks that AI poses, Easterly stated that she was not surprised by the government's lack of action to regulate the technology.

"Easterly stated that these emerging technologies will likely be the most powerful of our century, possibly even surpassing them. Most of these technologies are being developed by private companies driven by the need to generate profits for their shareholders. As a result, it is crucial for the government to establish safeguards to ensure that these technologies are constructed with security as a top priority. Congress can play a vital role in ensuring that these technologies are safe and secure for the American people to use and implement."

State governments have mostly enacted the rules for AI, while Congress has considered overarching protections.

Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tenn., stated that while AI has many positive aspects, it can also be destructive when in the wrong hands, particularly in the music industry, as he signed state legislation in March to safeguard musicians.

The ELVIS Act, signed by Lee this year, classifies vocal likeness as a property right in Tennessee, making it the first state to enact such protections. Similar laws have since been passed in Illinois and California. Additionally, other states, including Tennessee, have laws that classify names, photographs, and likenesses as property rights.

Lainey Wilson, a country recording artist, stated during a congressional hearing on AI and intellectual property that our voices and likenesses are integral to our identities and have allowed us to showcase our talents and expand our audiences, not just digital content for machines to replicate without our consent.

Wilson contended that her image and likeness were utilized through AI to advertise products she had not previously supported.

Easterly stated that for many years, we have utilized technology that was not designed with security in mind. Instead, it was created for quick market release or impressive features. As a result, we now face cybersecurity challenges.

The FTC has launched "Operation AI Comply" to combat unfair and deceptive AI marketing practices, including fake reviews generated by chatbots.

Easterly, a technologist at heart and an optimist, is excited about some of the capabilities of the technology, but not concerned about Skynet-like things. He wants to ensure that security is prioritized in the design, development, testing, and delivery of the technology.

Hawaii passed a law to increase funding for research in healthcare that utilizes AI tools. A recent study has shown that OpenAI's chatbot outperformed doctors in diagnosing medical conditions. In the experiment, doctors using ChatGPT scored around 75% accuracy, while the chatbot alone achieved over 90%.

AI technology is not only being used for disease detection but also for detecting catastrophic events. In the aftermath of deadly wildfires in Maui, Hawaii state lawmakers allocated funds to the University of Hawaii to map statewide wildfire risks and improve forecasting technologies. This includes $1 million for an AI-driven platform. Additionally, Hawaiian Electric is deploying high-resolution cameras across the state.

Dimitri Kusnezov, Energy Department Under Secretary for AI and Technology, stated that it will take months to years for it to become more sensitive to distinguishing between what is a fire and what is not.

Both California and Colorado possess similar technology. In a matter of minutes, the AI can accurately identify the origin of a fire and predict its potential spread.

Firearm detection systems are being implemented in several school districts across the country, including one in Utah that alerts officials within seconds of detecting a potential gun on campus. AI technology is also being utilized to keep students safe.

Michael Tanner, CEO of Park City, Utah, School District, stated that the district aims to create a secure and educational environment. However, the security measures should not hinder the educational process.

Both Maryland and Massachusetts are considering allocating state funds to implement similar technology. Maryland's commission will decide whether to use school construction funds to build the systems, while Massachusetts members will examine the risks associated with the new technology.

Easterly stated that we aim to utilize these capabilities to enhance our ability to safeguard the essential infrastructure that Americans depend on constantly.

The European Union enacted regulations for AI this year, categorizing risks from minimal to unacceptable. Chatbots are classified as specific transparency and must inform users they are interacting with a machine. Software for critical infrastructure is considered high risk and must adhere to strict requirements. Most technology that profiles individuals or uses public images to build-up databases is deemed unacceptable.

While the US has established guidelines for AI use and implementation, experts predict that the EU's risk classification approach may not be as comprehensive.

"To win the race for artificial intelligence, we must stay ahead in America by investing and innovating. Easterly emphasized the importance of being an engine of innovation that makes America the greatest economy in the world."