OTI Urges President Biden to Spotlight U.S. Tech Challenges in the State of the Union Address

Ahead of the State of the Union Address, the Open Technology Institute (OTI), a New America program fostering equitable access to digital technology and its benefits, issued the following statement from Lilian Coral, Vice President of New America’s Technology and Democracy programs and Head of OTI:

Given the rapid pace of technological development over the last year and its impact on every aspect of daily life, we hope President Biden’s speech shines a spotlight on America’s major digital tech challenges. Guided by the principle that everyone deserves equitable access to technology and its benefits, the president and Congress should work to ensure that technological design, use, and governance promote security, safeguard human rights, and further economic and political well-being.

As AI developments continue at a rapid pace, the president should highlight the opportunities and challenges they present and call on Congress to pass existing legislation that can address concerns and tap the promise of AI.

First, we must acknowledge that in order for all Americans to benefit from the AI revolution, we need to invest in ourselves and ensure that every American can participate in digital life. That’s why OTI urges the Biden administration to continue calling on Congress to support the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) before it runs out of funding as early as next month by passing the ACP Extension Act of 2024. The continuity and longevity of the ACP is crucial to an equitable AI future and the success of President Biden’s infrastructure investments through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Second, as we get all Americans online and accessing AI-enabled tools, we need to address the trust and safety issues that underlie an AI future. We hope President Biden calls on Congress to pass a comprehensive federal privacy law. Legislation like the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) remains the most effective way to protect all Americans and their data online and would serve as an important foundational step for regulating AI.

These privacy protections, paired with algorithmic accountability mechanisms, provide a meaningful way to address harms while also laying the groundwork for future AI legislation that balances innovation and user rights. OTI believes the Biden administration should engage Congress on the Algorithmic Accountability Act, which would hold companies accountable for automated decision making by requiring impact assessments and increased transparency.

It is also critical for federal agencies to establish civil rights offices focused on bias, discrimination, and other harms that may arise from the use of algorithms, which is why we hope that Biden will urge Congress to pass the Eliminating BIAS Act.

As the new congressional session ramps up, OTI hopes to see greater action and coordination among the Biden administration, Congress, civil society, and industry to strengthen protections for Americans’ privacy and safety online and ensure that all of us can reap the benefits of rapid advances in AI.