Pros and Cons of the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023
Background Information Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the patent landscape, creating an influx of patent applications that mirrors a rise in modern-day innovation. However, the discussion of patentable inventions under U.S. law lags behind. The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023 (PERA) aims to address this by reversing court rulings that have narrowed the scope […]
Pros and Cons of S.B. 3732: The Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act
Introduction The rise in the prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) has had significant impacts on the environment. This includes the electricity required to power the technology, the release of hundreds of tons of carbon emissions, and the depletion of freshwater resources for data center cooling. For example, AI data centers in the U.S. use about […]
Understanding Data Privacy Protections: ADPPA and APRA
Data privacy is an ongoing concern for Americans. A national study from 2014 found that over 90% of respondents believed they had lost control of how their personal data is used by companies, and that 80% were concerned about government surveillance of online communications. Nearly a decade later, the vast majority of Americans remained concerned […]
Pros and Cons of California SB-1047: The AI Regulation Debate
Background With the recent emergence of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed from an obscure mechanism to a widely-used tool in day-to-day life. Around 77% of devices integrate some form of AI in voice assistants, smart speakers, chatbots, or customized recommendations. Still, while at least half of Americans are aware of AI’s presence in their […]
Pros and Cons of the Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act
Despite an unprecedented demand for mental health and substance use services in the U.S., psychiatric hospitals utilize electronic health records (EHRs) at significantly lower rates than general medical practices. EHRs are electronic versions of patient health profiles, and include information such as relevant demographics, past diagnoses and treatments, lab report data, and vaccination history. EHRs […]
Understanding AI in Intelligence Gathering and Analysis
What is AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) involves the use of machine learning algorithms and predictive models to process and analyze large datasets. Intelligence gathering, a critical component of national security and defense systems, refers to the collection and analysis of information to identify potential threats. Recently, AI has taken on a bigger role in U.S. […]
Understanding the Investigatory Encryption Backdoors Debate
Background: Encryption Backdoors in Law Enforcement Investigations Encryption is the process of encoding messages so that only authorized individuals can decode and access the content. Organizations rely on encryption to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. However, an encryption backdoor is any method that allows someone, regardless of authorization, to bypass encryption and access data. […]
The TikTok Ban: Overview and New Developments
An Overview of TikTok Security Concerns In 2016, the Chinese company ByteDance launched Douyin, a social media app focused on short-form content in China. Following the app’s success, ByteDance expanded the app overseas, launching TikTok to the international market in late 2017. TikTok was a major success internationally, amassing two million downloads and 800 about […]
Understanding the Debate on Fair Access to Mental Augmentation in Neurotechnology
Neurotechnology is an area of technology that specifically applies to the monitoring, regulation, or enhancement of brain activity. As neurotechnologies advance, the once far-fetched idea that humans might leverage technology to augment their nervous system has become closer to fact than fiction. Mental augmentation encompasses any means by which people enhance their mental functions beyond […]
Pros and Cons of the Kids Online Safety Act
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) responds to the escalating youth mental health crisis and its ties to harmful online content and addictive social media algorithms. Given the rising rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness among children in the U.S., KOSA aims to establish a legal framework that promotes a healthier online ecosystem for youth. […]