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As the new administration staffs up and Capitol Hill lawmakers begin to contemplate post-pandemic priorities, countering Chinas advances in artificial intelligence and other disruptive technologies has emerged as a major driving force for US policymakers. This alert provides a summary of expected new AI-related legislation, an overview of a recent report by the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, highlights of the Biden Administrations approach to technology/AI as well as the key AI-related policymakers in the Administration and in Congress.

Three developments in the last month signal a focused mindset of policymakers in Washington, DC to counter China on technology:

Washington sees maintaining and extending US leadership in technological innovation as a vital national security imperative, both:

While a strategic imperative to move fast and out-compete China is prevalent in the highest levels of the federal government, progressive elements of the Democratic majorities in the Congress may advocate for cautionary breaks and regulatory guardrails to this rapid technology development, such as AI algorithmic impact assessments, audits and penalties for developers of AI applications.Europeis currently considering some of the strictest AI regulations in the world today, and US policymakers will likely face pressure across the Atlantic to issue further guidance or even consider targeted, agency-specific regulations of high-risk AI applications.

AI and the great power competition

The March 1 NSCAI final report could be seen by some as a wake-up call since the report highlights that other nations are not standing idly by and thus some experts believethe Defense Department must move beyond the legacy systems that have defined military planning for decades. The findings, quarterly recommendations and stark conclusions of the report have reverberated in high-level defense and foreign policy circles and sounded the alarm to members of congress, staff and the general public.

Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the NSCAI, declared the AI competition with China is a national emergency and a threat to our nation unless we get our act together with respect to focusing on AI in the federal government and international security.

The 15-member Commission composed of technologists, business executives, academic leaders and national security professionals was created under the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to consider the methods and means necessary to advance the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and associated technologies to comprehensively address the national security and defense needs of the United States.

Among the NSCAI reports takeaway headlines:

The Commissioners focused on four pillars for immediate action:

Many of these recommendations, which span the entire federal government, have a good shot at serious legislative consideration, with the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act being the most likely vehicle to carry many of the policy proposals.

New administration, similar competitive tech concerns about China

While President Biden has used his executive powers to reverse a host of policies enacted by his predecessor, one area of potential continuity from the Trump era is an aggressive posture towards China.

Other Biden Administration technology/AI initiatives and personnel

The pending rule is part of a broader effort to secure US supply chains, bolster US manufacturing and enhance the role of science, particularly at a time when a global shortage of semiconductor chips is causing severe production cutbacks in automotive and consumer electronics manufacturing.

President Biden hasannounceda number of appointments and nominations of officials who will take leading roles on AI and related issues and has raised the profile of key posts with jurisdiction over cyber and technology issues.

In his first major speech as Americas top diplomat, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said:

Advancing US tech to counter China a big priority on Capitol Hill

Senator Schumer, leader of the newly minted Democratic majority in the Senate, has directed the chairs and members of our relevant committees to start drafting a legislative package to out-compete China and create new American jobs.

Congress laid some of the groundwork for implementing a more comprehensive national AI strategy with the passage on New Years Day (over Trumps veto) of the FY 2021 NDAA, which incorporated theNational AI Initiative Act.The White House on January 12 fulfilled the laws requirement to establish the National AI Initiative Office, responsible for coordinating AI research and policymaking across government, industry and academia.

The National AI Initiative Act, also known as Division E of the NDAA, was the most significant AI legislation to date to be enacted by Congress and will serve as thefoundationfor non-defense AI policy for the federal government in the years ahead. Division E established a coordinated, civilian-led federal initiative to accelerate research and development and encourage investments in trustworthy AI systems for the economic and national security of the United States. The legislation authorizes policies and significant funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Department of Energy.

In the 117th congress, a shift of focus will turn to monitoring implementation of this legislation and appropriating additional dollars to resource the initiative. Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate can be expected to apply a greater amount of attention and scrutiny over AI applications and their outcomes. Industry should expect increased policy and regulatory focus on ensuring accountability of AI through impact assessments and audits of AI algorithms. In her confirmation hearing, newly sworn in Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo pledged to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis as part of the Advisory Committee on AI required by the defense policy bill. Raimondos department has jurisdiction over key science policy bureaus, including NIST.

The House Armed Services Committee has established a new Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems, with Representative James Langevin (D-RI) as chair and House AI Caucus member Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as ranking member. AI Caucus member and Endless Frontiers Act sponsor Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) is also on this subcommittee.

Additional key congressional players on AI issues

Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate AI Caucus, announced that his current term will be his last and he will not seek re-election in 2022. But he has demonstrated that he will continue to be a leading voice on AI issues over the next two years, including in his capacity as ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee which, among other responsibilities, has authority to investigate the efficiency, economy and effectiveness of all agencies and departments of the government.

Senator Martin Heinrich(D-NM), fellow co-chair and co-founder of the AI Caucus, is moving to the Appropriations Committee. He authored the SenatesArtificial Intelligence Initiative Actin 2019.

Many of the provisions included in that legislation became law via the FY21 NDAA being enacted on New Years Day 2021. Senator Heinrich is likely to continue pushing forresponsible and trustworthyAI funding and policies for government agencies while providing congressional oversight of the newly created White House National AI Initiative Office.

Representative Jerry McNerney (D-CA)continues as the Democratic Co-Chair of the House AI Caucus. He is particularly passionate and focused on AI workforce and research issues and is a member of the House Science Committee.

Representative Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) will take over as the Republican co-chair of the House AI Caucus. Gonzalez, now in his second term, was not a member of the AI Caucus previously, but he was part of abipartisan group of House memberswho called on NIST to develop a framework on strategies, guidelines and best practices for AI that will bolster innovation and ethical practices in developing and implementing artificial intelligence across the US. He is also interested in AI impacts on the workforce as a representative from the rustbelt.

Current AI Caucus membership in the 117thCongress:

Senate AI Caucus

CO-CHAIRS

Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

Rob Portman (R-OH)

MEMBERS

Brian Schatz (D-HI)

Joni Ernst (R-IA)

Gary Peters (D-MI)

Mike Rounds (R-SD)

Maggie Hassan (D-NH)

House AI Caucus

CO-CHAIRS

Jerry McNerney (D-CA-09)

Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH-16)

MEMBERS

Don Beyer (D-VA-08)

GK Butterfield (D-NC-01)

Andr Carson (D-IN-07)

Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO-05)

Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01)

Mark DeSaulnier (D-MA-11)

Nanette Diaz Barragn (D-CA-44)

Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12)

Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-18)

Bill Foster (D-IL-11)

Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05)

Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07)

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (D-GA-04)

Ro Khanna (D-CA-17)

Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06)

Brenda Lawrence (D-MI-14)

Ted Lieu (D-CA-33)

Michael McCaul (R-TX-10)

Bobby Rush (D-IL-01)

Brad Sherman (D-CA-30)

Darren Soto (D-FL-09)

Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21)

Steve Stivers (R-OH-15)

Marc Veasey (D-TX-33)

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Technology, artificial intelligence in focus for the Biden Administration and the 117th Congress Seen through the lens of competition with China -...

Submitted Published 4:55 a.m. ET March 21, 2021

Doug and Tammy Wertz are heroes! They did not give up on one of our most valuable gifts - the Mansfield Playhouse. For many, many years I had permanent tickets for Sunday afternoons. I can't believe how much I enjoyed those shows!

I want to thank everyone (and there were hundreds) who put in their time to give us quality, affordable memories. From every prat fall to every tear, we loved our Playhouse times. As a little girl, I even went to church there!

The arts are alive and well in Mansfield, thanks to people like Doug and Tammy. God bless you!

Marjorie Leonard, Mansfield

I don't understand why numerous American citizens can't seem to recognize or care of the many dangers that is happening in our country. The government is leaning strongly toward the United States, a Socialist country, controlled by the Democratic Party, that has very notably turned Socialist.

Is that what you really want and then wait to see what happens next when the wolf knocks down your door?

That, my fellow Americans, will happen if you sit back and allow this to happen. These radicals must be stopped before it's too late. That requires input from you, the American people. Think do you want your children, future generations, and you to live in a government controlled by Socialists?

Ann Burkhart, Mansfield

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Letters to the Editor: Thank you, Socialism - Mansfield News Journal

Socialism not what many believe it isOver the course of the past year or so, I have repeatedly heard and read about how the radical Democrats and their socialist agenda will ruin our country.I am not an enrolled Democrat, but I dont think the Democratic Party has a socialist agenda to pursue. If it does, Id like to have someone identify for me which of the Democrats initiatives are socialist because I suspect that many Americans have little or no idea what socialism entails, and tend to assume it is evil, and equivalent to communism and godlessness.Many area residents may not realize this, but slightly over 100 years ago, Schenectady had a socialist mayor. His name was George R. Lunn.Mr. Lunn was duly elected to the office of mayor on the Socialist Party ticket in 1911 and voters liked his ideas and accomplishments enough to return him to office for a second term in 1915.He later served in Congress and following that became Al Smiths Lieutenant Governor.Mr. Lunn was an ordained Protestant clergyman and described himself as a Christian Socialist. So much for godlessness.And during his tenure, the city did not fall apart. Imagine that. To the contrary, Mayor Lunn enacted several reforms and significant improvements to public health, trash collection, public schools, and was instrumental in creating Central Park.Think about that the next time you hear about the evils inherent in socialism or the so-called socialist agenda of a candidate or political party.Paul DeierleinSchenectady

Women deserve to have claims believedBelieve women. We are your daughters, your mothers, your sisters, your wives.We are your cherished family and your friends.We deserve to be believed about sexual harassment and sexual assault without having to tell our stories over and over again.We dont want to. Its tiring.We just want the men in power to be viewed for who they really are. The entire world should not have to know our lifes story to actually understand that these men are doing wrong.They harm us through their actions, then again, each day when we see their claims that they didnt do anything, that the accusations are unfounded, that they were coerced to leave their posts.They are lying. They did it. Women deserve to be believed without having to come forward and be in the public eye.Why would we make up the worst experiences of our lives?Where were our institutions when this was happening to us? We were left to deal with it alone and we still are on our own.Maybe we are the people with the lawsuits now. Times up.Molly SchaeferSchenectady

Online lettersCommenters to online letters who fail to follow rules against name-calling, profanity, threats, libel or other inappropriate language will have their comments removed and their commenting privileges withdrawn.

To report inappropriate online comments, email Editorial Page Editor Mark Mahoney at[emailprotected]

Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion

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Letters to the Editor Monday, March 22 - The Daily Gazette

There are very few people on the Left who are ready to accept the fact that the Left movement has been facing a crisis of ideology since the collapse of the Soviet Bloc and Social Democracy since the 1990s. With the collapse of Social Democracy and the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the Left lost its ideology and its way.

The failure of the Left to develop a new ideology in the last thirty years is the underlying reason for its weakness today. A huge credibility gap exists about socialism and the Left in the minds of the working class. And that is not surprising at all.

The Left failed to respond when its ideology faced a deep crisis in the early 1990s. By then it had become obvious that the Lefts 19th Century socialist ideology had failed when put into practice in the 20th Century.

The collapse of social democracy represented the failure of the reformist wing of the socialist movement. The collapse of the Soviet Bloc (the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe) represented the failure of the more radical wing of the socialist movement. These two wings represented the whole socialist project in the eyes of the world's population. The failure of the socialist project raised serious questions on the credibility of the socialist ideology.

Tragically, this momentous defeat was not recognised as such by almost all socialists. And thus, they failed to take the steps needed to reconsider and renew their ideology.

The main challenge before the Left movement was to develop a democratic model of socialism after the failure of the top-down bureaucratic and authoritarian model. But the Left movement failed to develop a democratic model of socialism which guarantees democratic and political rights, freedoms and liberties.

In particular, the Left was unable to see that its old ideology had been missing the vital ingredient of democratic control by the working class. The Lefts emphasis on planning, public ownership and public services had left out the key question of how these institutions were going to be run. How they would be made accountable to their workers, service users, customers etc.

In the absence of any clear programme for participatory democracy in the state and the public sector, these institutions had ended up under the control of bureaucrats or elites. As a result, each attempt at socialist reform or revolution has produced top-down, bureaucratic and inefficient systems. In all the experiments of implementing socialism, there was a common feature the working people were alienated from power.

Experience has shown time and time again that democratic control of society by working people will not emerge automatically. It must be specifically planned for and campaigned on if we are to see it arrive and flourish. Because of this, popular control has to be at the heart of any new democratic socialist ideology for the 21st Century. Not added on as an afterthought. The lack of this is the root cause of the failure of the old socialist ideology.

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union and right-wing turn of social democracy, socialism was a viable alternative to capitalism. It was part of the political consciousness of the wider layers of working people around the world. Socialism was a credible alternate in the eyes of millions of working and young people. The Left was a credible political force in society.

But todays reality is different. Even though capitalism discredited itself in the eyes of millions of people around the world in the last three decades, the Left has failed to emerge as a viable alternative. Socialism is no more on the agenda and the Left is not a credible political force in society. The Left has been pushed aside since the rise of the neoliberal capitalist ideology.

Millions of young people, workers, unemployed, small traders, farmers, peasants and women are angry with the existing socioeconomic conditions in which they are forced to live in. They wanted to get rid of inequality, poverty, exploitation, alienation and unemployment. The anger against authoritarian neoliberal capitalism is growing in many countries both rich and poor.

Under neoliberal capitalism, there is a growing level of discontent. The decades of austerity, cuts on social spending, privatization, deregulation, pro-market reforms and attacks on the welfare state have fueled anger against neoliberal policies. Life meanwhile gets harder and more uncertain for most of the working class. Thus, increasingly obscene wealth for a shrinking, super-rich minority starkly contrasts with the falling living standards for the rest of the population. Under modern capitalism, each new generation is increasingly worse off than the one before.

In response to these worsening conditions, we see increasing anger and prejudice, political polarization and degenerating public debate. All reflected in the rising racial, ethnic and religious conflicts that sometimes break into civil war. Looming over everything there is the threat of climate change and the wider destruction of our animals, forests and habitat forced on us by the incessant drive for profit.

But the lack of any alternative to capitalism constantly undermines the consciousness of working people and cripples their struggles. Who can really resist an attack when they can't see an alternative or even the hope of success?

Many people asked why the Left has failed to capitalize on the failures of capitalism. The main reason is the failure of the left movement to develop a new ideology of socialism since the collapse of the Soviet Bloc and social democracy.

In the absence of a new credible ideology, the Left is badly fractured. Ideology often acts as the glue that holds a movement together. In its absence, the Left is repeatedly torn by disunity constantly sidelined into potentially disunifying struggles such as identity politics, rather than able to integrate such struggles into the central need to create a democratic socialist society.

In society more generally, the collapse of the Lefts old ideology has left a vacuum into which has rushed not only neoliberalism, but nationalism, racism, sectarianism and all sorts of divisive movements.

The writer is a freelance journalist.

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Crisis of the left - The News International

On COVID, ask why

Cost, losses beyond belief | March 14

The toll of COVID-19 staggers and saddens. However, what I find beyond belief is that we persist with accounting and resist accountability. Vaccination appears to be denting death rates among those with the highest vaccination rates. This is a pandemic which will be suppressed, but not eradicated. There is much, besides pursuing herd immunity, which we should have done and which we still should do to spare life.

To obtain this reset, we must transition from describing the sensational what happened to asking the still vital why it happened. Apply the average death rate of 193 other nations to the United States and COVID-19 ought to have killed about 94,000 Americans, instead of 534,315. Or the virus should have killed 22,122 had we performed as well as several top tier countries, or about half of our actual casualties had we merely matched the rates of Canada, Germany and a number or merely average pandemic managers.

Several studies have shown that up to one-third of the excess mortality over the past year may be attributable to the effects of the measures used to combat the pandemic, rather than the disease itself. The costs were not simply economic, educational and social. When one is manifestly on the wrong route, it is time to stop and ask directions.

Pat Byrne, Largo

Tim Scott is doing the Republican Party a huge favor. The rest of us, not so much | Column, March 13

Columnist Leonard Pitts capacity for deductive reasoning is sorely lacking. Not only does he fail to understand what woke supremacy is political correctness on steroids he fails to recognize its significance.

I did not see the MSNBC interview in question, but when I read Pitts column I knew immediately what Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C., meant. I applaud his courage in making the statement. We need more men and women of like mind to speak out and lower the heat of the cancel culture gripping both left and right before it boils over again. We do not need another January 6th capitol invasion.

Daniel J. Hill, Tampa

Want to know what socialists really think? Ask one | Letters, March 15

A recent letter writer seems to think that socialism is Medicare for all, tuition free college, and an end to forever wars. That does not sound like socialism to me. The textbook definition of socialism is a place where the state owns the facilities and all the workers are government employees. In the United Kingdom, for instance, medical facilities are owned by the government and the medical and administrative staff work for the government. Medicare for all is just government insurance for all, not socialism. As long as you can choose a private insurer, then I dont see the problem.

Do we have socialized medicine in the U.S.? Of course we do. Its called the veterans health care system and the military health care system. The facilities are owned by the government and the medical and administrative staff are government employees. Does it work? The vast majority of veterans (like me) and military personnel think so. Would it work for everyone else? I doubt it, and I would be against it, but lets be careful about how we define socialism.

Ron Scoggins, St. Petersburg

What to know about Floridas 2021 legislative session | Feb. 25

In Florida, when I stare at the beautiful coast, I often see it littered with all types of plastics. What upsets me is knowing that other people have the same thoughts, and we have the ability to change this, but forget our voices. To start finding that voice, we must re-address this to our government, who play a critical role in alleviating the single-use plastic pollution problem. It starts with telling our representatives and senators to cosponsor state House and Senate bills like HB 6027, HB 1563, SB 594 and SB 1348. These either focus on repealing the preemptions on single-use plastics, or tell the state Department of Environmental Protection to update its plastic bag report. It is time to rise-up, and use our voices, since taking care of the environment is ensuring all of our futures. We need to tell our legislators to rise above and break free from plastics.

Sanaa Ali, St. Petersburg

Florida senators advance bill eliminating drop boxes and limiting vote by mail | March 10

So Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, an undertaker who thinks he knows everything about creating a successful career, wants to penalize high-achieving college students who seek insight, discernment and communication skills by studying the arts and humanities. Of course he does if only to limit the number of broadly educated voters who can see through his empty rhetoric and self-serving schemes. Voter suppression is already a strategy of todays Republican party. Apparently, educational suppression is not far behind.

Jim Harper, Tampa

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On COVID, its time for a hard accounting of what went wrong | Letters - Tampa Bay Times