On Monday, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich met with a group of small business owners who are learning to use artificial intelligence to discuss AI's promises and pitfalls.
“This is primarily about introducing a human-like chatbot that can speed up the work we're already doing,” he said.
Heinrich helped launch the Senate AI Caucus in 2019, which works to develop policies that balance the risks and benefits of AI within government while upholding ethical standards.
He said he worries that AI could be used by bad actors with bad intentions.
“I think the biggest risk is that we don't adequately regulate the obviously problematic or criminal uses of AI,” he said, “but we're going to have amazing tools that 99 percent of the population is going to use in small businesses.”
Maria Meyer, who attended the training at the WESST Business Center in Albuquerque, where she runs We Are The People, a consulting firm that works with diverse young professionals who want to influence politics and policy, said she is learning AI to help her small business.
“AI is a buzzword. Everyone who's doing these trainings is saying you have to bring AI into your business, you have to learn AI,” she said.
Meyer says she was initially hesitant to learn more because she doesn't have a technical background, but she sees the benefits of ChatGPT.
“When crafting emails and messaging, it's really important to make sure it's accurate and personalized,” she said, “but as an independent contractor, if it can help at least in the basic sense, I'd take advantage of that opportunity.”
Janix Barbosa, a professional insurance agent, said she wants to learn more about AI and how it impacts privacy.
“Especially in my field as an insurance agent, privacy is very important and how we can protect our customers from AI predators and learn from them,” she said. “Most of my clients are seniors, so this is very important.”
The AI training session was hosted by AI & You, a nonprofit that educates marginalized communities about the opportunities and challenges of AI, and AI & You plans to host more training sessions in the future.
This reporting is supported by the Thornburgh Foundation.
