Resisting Regulation: WhatsApp and Instagram Owner Calls President
Meta CEO, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg, has reportedly secretly contacted US President Donald Trump to reject plans for the establishment of a national-level AI regulatory agency. According to a report by news site Politico, during this confidential telephone conversation, Zuckerberg stated that the idea of having a single dedicated AI regulator at the national level is a bad idea.
To date, many parties have actually demanded strict supervision to ensure that AI technology is not misused, violates privacy, or spreads misleading information. However, Zuckerberg appears to hold the opposite view.
During the discussion, Zuckerberg conveyed to Trump that establishing a specialised regulatory agency authorised to oversee all aspects related to AI in the United States is not the correct approach. He assessed that such a centralised regulatory model possesses many weaknesses and would not be effective in keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology.
This statement has led to strong suspicions that Meta does not want the development of its artificial intelligence to be regulated by external parties. Meta has been developing various AI models and integrating them into its platforms, which are used by billions of users.
If a regulatory body were authorised to inspect, restrict, or even prohibit the use of certain AI, it would undoubtedly significantly impact Meta’s future business plans and technological development.
On the other hand, many argue that AI is a highly dangerous technology if not properly supervised. AI can mimic human voices and faces, spread seemingly realistic falsehoods, and even make decisions that impact millions of people. Therefore, the existence of a supervisory body is considered vital to protect the public.
This debate is further dividing the tech world. On one side, big tech companies desire voluntary and non-binding regulations. On the other, governments and the wider public demand firm rules and authorised agencies capable of ensuring that AI does not harm society.
In Indonesia, AI regulations are currently in the finalisation stage. The administration of President Prabowo Subianto is drafting two regulations related to AI: ethical guidelines for AI use and an AI development roadmap.
According to the Director General of the Digital Ecosystem, Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, these two regulations, which will be issued in the form of Presidential Regulations, are merely awaiting the President’s signature.