The Dominance of Big AI: Why Small Companies Feel Left Out of the Conversation
In the realm of generative AI, it’s the giants that steal the spotlight. Microsoft and well-funded startups like OpenAI are the ones making headlines, with their technology being both praised and feared. As politicians struggle to regulate AI, it’s these big players who have been setting the agenda and terms of the conversation. Meanwhile, smaller AI companies, both commercial and noncommercial, find themselves left out and facing an uncertain future.
Big AI companies, as they should be called, have been actively shaping potential AI policies. Just last month, OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Anthropic, and Amazon made an agreement with the White House to invest in responsible AI and develop watermarking features for AI-generated content. Furthermore, OpenAI, Microsoft, Anthropic, and Google formed the Frontier Model Forum, a coalition aimed at promoting the safe and responsible use of frontier AI systems. Their goal is to advance AI research, establish best practices, and share information with policymakers and the wider AI ecosystem.
However, it’s important to note that these big companies represent only a fraction of the generative AI market. OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Meta primarily operate foundation models, AI frameworks that can be either language-based or image-focused. On top of these models, there is a thriving sector consisting of smaller businesses that develop apps and other tools. These smaller players face similar scrutiny, but unlike the big AI companies with substantial resources, they cannot afford disruptions to their business.
Triveni Gandhi, responsible AI lead at enterprise AI company Dataiku, raises concerns about accountability for smaller companies. Businesses like Dataiku, which build data analytics applications and work with clients, lack control over how the models they use obtain information. If regulations dictate that AI companies are responsible for how chatbots use data and answer queries, smaller companies like Dataiku may face punishment for something they have limited control over.
The Frontier Model Forum has expressed its willingness to collaborate with civil society groups and governments, but it hasn’t expanded its membership to include more AI companies. OpenAI, a key player in the forum, has not revealed whether it plans to open membership in the future. However, it is crucial for these smaller companies to have a voice in the regulatory conversation and participate in shaping how they will be scrutinized.
Ron Bodkin, co-founder of ChainML, suggests that calibrating requirements and fines based on the size and scale of AI players could address concerns of smaller companies. Gandhi from Dataiku also proposes that industry coalitions or standards organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) should include more stakeholders, recognizing that the needs of those working on foundation models differ from those working directly with consumers.
There are worries about regulatory capture, where regulated industries heavily influence policy creation and enforcement, as lawmakers grapple with striking a balance between innovation and preventing harm. While it is reasonable for governments to seek input from large AI companies when developing regulatory frameworks, relying solely on their perspectives risks excluding smaller companies down the value chain and creating rules that protect established incumbents from competition.
The influence of Big AI has been called into question by the AI Now organization, which released a report in April warning against companies leading the narrative around AI. AI Now believes that regulators and the public should take the lead in shaping the conversation, as companies often overstate the importance of AI to the future. Beena Ammanath, executive director of the Global Deloitte AI Institute, emphasizes that fostering trust in AI technologies requires input from more than just big businesses. Non-governmental groups, academics, international agencies, and policy experts should also have a voice. With lawmakers still discussing AI regulation, there is still time to involve a broader range of stakeholders and make the conversation more inclusive.
Editor Notes:
The dominance of Big AI is certainly a cause for concern, as it leaves smaller companies feeling excluded and uncertain about their future. While it is important to consider the input of large AI corporations, it’s equally important to involve a wider range of stakeholders in the regulatory conversation. The inclusion of smaller companies, civil society groups, academics, and policy experts will not only address concerns about regulatory capture but also help foster trust in AI technologies. By prioritizing the public interest over corporate gains, we can ensure responsible AI adoption that benefits society as a whole. To stay updated on the latest AI developments and news, visit the GPT News Room https://ift.tt/MJOGFyc.
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