Google Executive Kent Walker Calls for Industry-Specific AI Regulation Instead Of One Size Fits All

Alphabet Inc GOOG GOOGL Google executive Kent Walker advocated a hub-and-spoke method for various sectors and agencies, from banking to retail, to manage technology independently.

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Walker, the president of global affairs and chief legal officer for Google and Alphabet, dismissed the concept of a universal solution in an interview with Nikkei.

Walker compares the idea of a single AI regulatory body to having a "department of electricity," underscoring the diversity in AI applications.

Walker flagged the expansive potential of AI beyond chatbots, citing Google's AlphaFold team's achievements in protein folding as an example. He expresses concern that premature or rigid regulations could stifle innovation. Google has withheld certain products from public release, like a lip-reading tool, to prevent misuse, especially in authoritarian regimes.

Internationally, Walker favors collaborative research and the development of best practices, akin to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's role, over strict regulatory bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency. 

He sees the evolution of technology and regulatory frameworks as essential, emphasizing the need for flexibility given AI's rapid development and diverse applications.

On international AI use, Walker calls for shared responsibility in ensuring AI's ethical and safe application. 

Walker underscores the ease of switching between information sources and search engines, highlighting the competitive landscape in which Google operates.

GOOG Price Action: GOOG shares traded lower by 0.38% at $138.45 premarket on the last check Friday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.