CHT Supports The AI Whistleblower Protection Act

Photo by Harold Mendoza on Unsplash

CHT is proud to join 20 other organizations in formally endorsing the AI Whistleblower Protection Act, recently introduced by Senator Grassley with bipartisan, bicameral support across the House and Senate. This important legislation would protect AI researchers and other professionals who identify legitimate public safety concerns with AI technologies. Strong whistleblower protections are essential to encouraging transparency and accountability and supporting a trusted AI industry in the U.S.

As we saw with social media, whistleblowers have played an integral role in identifying issues and effecting change as they shed light on the first-hand knowledge of industry incentives in decision making. Without adequate protections, industry employees lack leverage to push for change, that often benefits the public interest

The stakes are even higher with AI. Current whistleblower protections were designed for violations of existing law, but existing regulatory frameworks do not address the rapidly evolving technology’s risks. This bill’s forward-looking approach would allow employees to raise substantial concerns, such as design flaws and vulnerabilities, regardless of whether a legal violation occurred.

By offering whistleblowers protections, information about potential risks posed by AI systems can reach the public and policymakers to prevent damage before it’s too late. The evidence historically provided by whistleblowers has been instrumental to federal and state investigations, furthering academic research, and effecting meaningful change in how companies operate.

As AI continues to be developed and deployed rapidly, we cannot afford to silence the voices of those who understand these systems best. We look forward to Congress advancing this legislation quickly, to ensure these protections are enshrined and support AI innovation.