Tech Titans Push for Softer AI Rules on Capitol Hill
Big Tech’s Warning to Washington
Top leaders from Microsoft, IBM, and other tech giants met with U.S. lawmakers this week, urging caution around heavy-handed AI regulation. During a closed-door roundtable in Washington, they emphasized the importance of fostering innovation while managing real risks — a line the industry has increasingly pushed as debate around regulating artificial intelligence heats up. The discussions, aimed at influencing the future of AI oversight, come amid growing global concern over algorithmic bias, misinformation, and job disruption. Despite broad consensus on the need for safeguards, tech leaders warned that burdensome rules could stifle progress and hinder America’s leadership in this pivotal technology frontier.
A Risk-Based Path Forward
Executives advocated for a “risk-based” regulatory framework, pointing to the European Union’s AI Act as a reference — though they urged a more flexible U.S. approach. They promoted regulatory sandboxes, voluntary standards, and public-private collaboration to guide AI deployment responsibly. IBM Vice Chair Gary Cohn and Microsoft Vice Chair Brad Smith voiced strong support for transparency, algorithmic accountability, and data privacy but remained firm that sweeping, overly prescriptive mandates would do more harm than good. As Congress debates federal AI policy, the industry’s push for balance signals both self-interest and a strategic attempt to shape the regulatory narrative before broader rules are finalized.
