A company in the UAE has made a remarkable move: the appointment of an AI employee as an AI Observer. IHC, an Abu Dhabi-based company, said the initiative positions it as a pioneer in taking advantage of AI for corporate governance and decision-making. IHC’s new officer is named Aiden Insight. He represents a virtual entity equipped with advanced AI capabilities, poised to revolutionize how IHC navigates the intricacies of the global investment landscape.
The appointment is the first of its kind in the Middle East. And Europe had its share of pioneering in AI employment when an AI HR officer was unveiled in the UK. But here an important question arises: Where is the US’s share in AI employment, and what are the steps Washington is taking to join—or stay at bay from—the club.
For starters, the US government agencies seem to be viewing AI with caution—even working to curb the dangers it could pose—to employment—in the future.
To achieve this end, the US Department of Justice appointed its first Chief Science and Technology Advisor and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer.
In addition, in April 2022, the US’s Department of Commerce appointed nearly two dozen employees to the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC). The committee is tasked with advising the President and the National AI Initiative Office on various issues pertaining to artificial intelligence (AI).
These appointments mark the inaugural selections for the recently formed committee, established in accordance with the National AI Initiative Act of 2020. The initiative mandates the NAIAC to furnish recommendations on matters such as the current status of U.S. AI competitiveness, the scientific landscape surrounding AI, and workforce-related AI concerns.
Additionally, the committee is charged with providing guidance on the management and coordination of the initiative itself, encompassing the distribution of activities and funding.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said: “We must remain steadfast in mitigating the risks associated with this emerging technology, and others, while ensuring that all Americans can benefit. The diverse leaders of our inaugural National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee represent the best and brightest of their respective fields and will be instrumental in helping the Department strike this balance.”
Therefore, it appears that the US government is wary of AI and its impact on the economy and employment. And it could let itself lag behind in terms of AI employment as long as it pursues this constraining approach when it comes to AI and its activism. The difference, it seems, between the US and the other parts of the world that have embarked on AI employment is that they view AI as an opportunity, while the US—on the contrary—deems it a potential risk and a threat.
