Congressional Bootcamp 2023 Agenda: Day 3

Stanford HAI staff will lead a discussion reviewing key concepts from the first two days of the boot camp. They will also offer a preview of Day 3 and leave ample time for questions.

The rapid spread of disinformation has challenged societies and deepened mistrust, threatening to erode democratic values. Furthermore, synthetic media from the advent of generative adversarial networks (GANS) has created deceptively realistic images and videos—known as deepfakes—that are indistinguishable from reality. These developments are leading to an information crisis where consumers are becoming less certain of the veracity of the content they encounter. This session will dive into how AI has changed the information economy and how policy can help protect people from fake content.

In this 3-hour National Security Council simulation, staffers will respond to a crisis situation in the Taiwan Strait involving the potential deployment of AI for national security purposes. 

Working lunch 

Continuation of simulation

China remains one of the most complex geopolitical challenges for the United States. The Chinese government has made clear its intention to be the leader in AI and other key dual-use technologies to secure an economic, political, and military advantage. Furthermore, the Chinese Communist Party uses AI technology to commit human rights abuses at home and abroad in a fundamentally anti-democratic manner. How can the U.S. maintain human-centered values in its technology and remain a global leader that advances an international order using technology for society’s benefit? This session will dive deeply into the nuances of Sino-American relations and how the U.S. can maintain its technological superiority.
 

 Silicon Valley, which is home to venture capital, startups, and leading tech firms, is a global center of tech innovation. From the startup lab to the boardrooms of major companies, this session will bring together startup founders and tech executives to map out Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem, discuss its vibrancy, and critically think about the consequences of AI developments on society. Panelists will offer their perspectives on starting, funding, and running successful companies as well as providing counsel to companies on ensuring ethical business practices.

The introduction of AI into society has had ripple effects on governments worldwide. Disinformation spreading on digital platforms—further amplified by AI—has had real-world consequences on democracy. Additionally, authoritarian countries are leveraging AI to further surveil and control their populations. The future of democracy hangs in the balance of making sure AI is used to affirm democratic systems and reinforce norms and values for the betterment of humanity. This dinner discussion will unpack the complexities of AI as it intertwines with different governments and considers how to ensure democracy prevails in a digital world.