A recent survey conducted by Axios, Generation Lab, and Syracuse University revealed that a significant number of experts in the field of AI believe that the United States should establish a dedicated federal agency for AI governance. The survey collected responses from 213 computer science professors across 65 prestigious universities in the country.
One of the key questions posed in the survey was about the best entity to regulate AI. The majority of respondents, 37%, favored the creation of a new “Department of AI” government agency. Meanwhile, 22% suggested that AI should be regulated by a global organization or treaty. Surprisingly, only 16% of the experts answered “Congress.” Interestingly, 2% more experts believed that AI regulation was irrelevant and impossible compared to those who thought Congress should define regulations for AI. The remaining 10% of respondents split their choices between the White House (4%), the private sector (3%), and the belief that AI should not be regulated (3%).
The survey also explored the potential impact of the AI sector on future employment. A majority of the professors advised young individuals to pursue careers in AI, engineering, and data science. On the other hand, 31% of the respondents discouraged pursuing a career in media, while 19% suggested avoiding the arts. Notably, 42% of the respondents chose “none of the above” as the field to be avoided.
In addition to these findings, the survey examined the perspective of professors on whether there is a point in AI’s evolution where humans cannot regain control. The responses were divided, with 41% stating “no, probably not,” 35% answering “yes, probably,” 19% choosing “no, definitely not,” and only 6% asserting “yes, definitely.”
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Interestingly, the sentiments expressed by the experts contrasted with the opinions of the general public and business leaders. While the latter often express concerns about AI’s potential to dramatically alter the economic and employment landscapes, 73% of the surveyed professors believed that AI would be able to perform less than 20% of the tasks currently conducted by humans at or above human-level proficiency.
These findings shed light on the perspectives of experts in the field of AI and provide insight into the current thinking surrounding AI governance and its influence on the job market. The results suggest a growing consensus among computer science professors that establishing a specialized federal agency for AI governance or creating global regulations is crucial for responsible and effective management of AI technologies.
This survey underscores the importance of considering expert opinions when formulating AI policies and regulations. As AI continues to rapidly advance, involving knowledgeable individuals and dedicated agencies in AI governance becomes vital for maximizing its benefits while mitigating potential risks.
