Former DARPA chief, now White House OSTP director: time to regulate AI is now

Arati Prabhakar, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, emphasizes the urgency of regulating AI, referring to it as a 'today problem.' With a background in government and Silicon Valley, she leads a team advising President Biden on science, tech, and innovation. The team guides regulatory efforts, government investments, and major projects like the cancer moonshot and climate change initiatives. Prabhakar discusses the balance between public and private sector R&D, AI safety, and semiconductors, highlighting the impact of government subsidies on chip manufacturing. The Office of Science and Technology Policy focuses on fostering innovation, addressing current challenges like climate change, and aligning R&D with national priorities. While not directly implementing policies, the team influences decisions through recommendations to the president, executive orders, and collaboration with Congress. Prabhakar's approach centers on creating options for the future through R&D to shape a desired outcome and address pressing issues like AI and climate change.