THE CONTAIN OPEN LETTER
The CONTAIN Initiative created this Open Letter to provide a way for people who share these concerns to add their voices to the conversation. An Open Letter carries no legal authority and cannot compel Congress to act. But it can place our voices on the public record and help ensure that our concerns are at least recognized or heard.
NAMES ADDED
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AN OPEN LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
We, the undersigned, recognize that artificial intelligence holds tremendous potential to benefit humanity. We also recognize that it presents extraordinarily complicated questions to society at the local, state, national and international levels. We believe answers to these questions have become too consequential to postpone. We request that our Representatives and Senators immediately begin to create a framework that addresses these challenges, with particular emphasis on pre-emptive safeguards and an immediate review of existing AI technologies capable of causing consequential effects beyond the systems in which they operate.
We believe the development and current use of artificial intelligence have reached a point where the very rights our nation was founded to protect — Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness — are already being diminished. Every Member of Congress takes an oath to support and defend the Constitution and to faithfully discharge the duties of their office. We believe protecting the rights and welfare of the American people is among the most important of those duties, particularly with regard to the misuse and unintended consequences of artificial intelligence technology. We insist that Congress recognize these priorities and act accordingly with all haste.
We as Americans also recognize that we are not alone in facing these challenges. These challenges are not uniquely American; they affect humanity as a whole. Accordingly, Congress must also seek solutions through international cooperation.
More than two centuries ago, James Madison warned that “enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.” We heed his warning and recognize that the responsibility for protecting the public good cannot depend solely upon those who hold office. That responsibility also belongs to "We the People" who elected them — and through this Open Letter, we are voicing our grave concern loudly and clearly, and affirming our resolve, if necessary, to elect representatives who will act.
DO WHAT YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO — AND ACT ON OUR BEHALF!
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU ADD YOUR NAME?
The CONTAIN Initiative will deliver the Open Letter and its signatories every 90 days by USPS Ground Advantage with tracking to the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Thank you for joining the conversation.