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42 TECHNOLOGY AWEMainta Dialuna, 16 October 2023
Influence of Billionaire-Backed AI Advisers on Capitol Hill
IN an increasingly interconnected network backed by Silicon point out that AI systems in use today already pose threats
Valley billionaires, a confluence of tech CEOs, congressional such as bias, misinformation, copyright issues, and privacy
offices, federal agencies, and influential think tanks has concerns. The emphasis on hypothetical long-term dangers
taken root. This web is driven by Open Philanthropy, primarily might lead to inadequate policies.
funded by Facebook co-founder and Asana CEO, Dustin
Moskovitz, and his spouse, Cari Tuna. Open Philanthropy is One of the critical concerns is the introduction of licensing
financing over a dozen AI fellows, scattered across crucial for AI. The proposal suggests requiring companies to obtain
congressional offices, federal agencies, and influential think licenses for advanced AI work, potentially benefitting larger
tanks. tech giants. Critics argue this could entrench existing
monopolies and hinder smaller startups from entering the
Open Philanthropy created the Horizon Institute for Public market.
Service in 2022, effectively funding technology fellows in Open Philanthropy’s approach, which closely aligns with
key Senate offices. Some of the top Senate AI legislation “effective altruism,” emphasizes data-driven philanthropy
leaders, including Sens. Martin Heinrich, Mike Rounds, and long-term risks. This ideology has permeated the AI
and Todd Young, each have a Horizon fellow focusing on community and influenced AI experts, including policy-
AI or closely related topics like biosecurity. Moreover, Sen. makers, toward addressing speculative existential risks
Richard Blumenthal’s office, an influential member of the rather than immediate concerns.
Senate Judiciary Committee, boasts a Horizon AI fellow with
prior experience at OpenAI, further emphasizing the group’s The complex network built by Open Philanthropy raises
influence. questions about ethics and conflicts of interest. Although
spokespeople for Open Philanthropy emphasize their inde-
Current and former Horizon AI fellows, whose salaries are pendence from Horizon, concerns persist about transpar-
financed by Open Philanthropy, are now working in signifi- ency and potential hidden agendas. This influential network
cant government bodies like the Department of Defense, the is gradually shaping AI policies in Washington, impacting
Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, crucial decisions about technology and its long-term conse-
the House Science Committee, and Senate Commerce quences.
Committee. They are also present in pivotal think tanks
shaping AI policy, such as the RAND Corporation and In response to the growing influence of effective altruists
Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging and Open Philanthropy, AI experts concerned about different
Technology. sets of risks are striving to build an alternative network to
ensure that immediate AI issues do not get overshadowed
However, concerns are arising about this network’s focus by long-term existential threats. The battle for influence on
on long-term AI risks, which some argue could divert AI policy in Washington is intensifying, with the outcome
Congress from addressing immediate AI concerns. Critics likely to impact the future of AI regulation and development.
