AsianFin -- Jim Jordan, Chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, has requested Apple (AAPL.O), Microsoft (MSFT.O), and over a dozen other technology companies to provide detailed information about their work on artificial intelligence (AI) and whether they have collaborated with the Biden administration to restrict freedom of speech.
In letters sent to the executives of these companies on Thursday, Jordan stated that the committee is drafting legislation aimed at safeguarding Americans' civil liberties from potential violations amid advancements in AI technology. He emphasized that lawmakers need to "fully understand the nature and extent" of what he described as "censorship efforts" under President Biden's administration.
In his letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, Jordan wrote, "We therefore write to request documents and information about the nature and extent of your company’s engagement with the executive branch regarding content moderation in AI models." Similar requests were made to executives of other tech companies, including Microsoft.
Jordan's action marks an escalation in his efforts to investigate alleged restrictions on speech, particularly targeting right-leaning individuals and groups, under both the current administration and foreign governments. The letters reflect growing concerns among some lawmakers about the potential misuse of AI and the role of tech companies in content moderation practices.
The tech companies have yet to publicly respond to the requests. This development underscores the increasing scrutiny of AI technologies and their implications for free speech and civil liberties in the United States.
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