Source: Forbes

Forbes highlights a critical challenge facing California's efforts to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI): the inability to definitively define what AI actually is. The article argues that while California lawmakers are pushing forward with ambitious legislation to govern AI technologies, a clear and universally accepted legal definition of AI remains elusive. This definitional ambiguity creates significant hurdles for effective regulation, potentially leading to laws that are either too broad and stifle innovation, or too narrow and fail to address emerging AI risks.

The piece emphasizes that without a precise definition, it becomes difficult to determine which technologies fall under the purview of new regulations, creating uncertainty for developers, businesses, and legal practitioners. It discusses how the rapid evolution of AI makes it particularly challenging to craft static definitions that remain relevant over time. The author suggests that this definitional problem is not unique to California but is a global issue in AI governance, reflecting the struggle of legal frameworks to keep pace with technological advancement. The article advocates for a more nuanced and adaptable approach to defining AI for regulatory purposes, perhaps focusing on specific AI applications or functionalities rather than a single, all-encompassing definition.