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WASHINGTON, D.C. (WBZ NewsRadio) — When Representative Jake Auchincloss delivered a short speech on the U.S. House floor Wednesday about a bill that would create an artificial intelligence research center between the U.S. and Israel, he did not have his typical speechwriter to thank.
The Massachusetts Democrat used the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT to write the speech for him. This is the first time an AI-generated speech was read in Congress.
WBZ NewsRadio obtained a copy of the prompt Auchincloss gave ChatGPT to construct the speech. The prompt began, "You are Jake Auchincloss, a Member of Congress. Write 100 words to deliver on the floor of the House of Representatives. Topic: the importance of the United States–Israel Artificial Intelligence Center Act, which the congressman will re-introduce this term." Auchincloss included a link to the bill and a related press release, before concluding with the content goal ("explain to audience the importance of international collaboration on AI research") and writing style ("formal speech").
WBZ also obtained a copy of Auchincloss' speech:
"Madam Speaker, I stand here today because I am planning to re-introduce the United States-Israel Artificial Intelligence Center Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that will cement a mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Israel on artificial intelligence research. This is a critical step forward in an era where artificial intelligence and its implications are taking center stage in public discourse.
We must collaborate with international partners like the Israeli government to ensure that the United States maintains a leadership role in AI research and development and responsibly explores the many possibilities evolving technologies provide. The United States-Israel Artificial Intelligence Center Act will allow us to tap into the expertise of both countries and draw upon each other’s resources to explore and develop cutting-edge AI advancements."
Speaking with WBZ NewsRadio, Auchincloss said it took five or six attempts before finding the right prompt to produce the above speech. He told WBZ he used ChatGPT to show that these programs are the next wave of intelligence that has to be watched.
"Congress needs to get ahead of the regulation, the ethics, and the considerations about this high potential technology," Auchincloss said. He referred to social media companies that grew without regulation at first as a warning, and said that humans needs to stay in charge of AI and use it for what it is.
"The applications are tremendous, but it’s not intelligent, and we have to be very clear about that," said Auchincloss. "It’s a misnomer. This is a word prediction engine."
Auchincloss is not the only state legislator to recently use ChatGPT in an official capacity. Massachusetts Senator Barry Finegold and Representative Jake Cutler both used ChatGPT to help draft bills that would regulate the usage of AI.
WBZ's Nichole Davis (@NicholeDWBZ) reports.
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