The City Council of Porto Alegre in Brazil has implemented its first-ever law, composed by OpenAI’s AI chatbot ChatGPT, effective since November 23. This AI-written legislation specifically addresses issues related to stolen water meters, aiming to prevent the city from imposing charges on taxpayers for replacing these stolen items. The law was unanimously passed by the council, and the revelation that it was authored by an AI system came after the approval. Councilman Ramiro Rosário acknowledged using ChatGPT to draft the law but noted that he did not consult the AI for the idea; rather, he provided a 49-word prompt and requested ChatGPT to generate the complete draft.
The decision to utilize AI for legislative drafting initially raised concerns, with city council president Hamilton Sossmeier expressing disapproval and labeling it a “dangerous precedent.” However, after further research into the role of AI, Sossmeier recognized the inevitability of AI influencing legislative processes, stating that it is likely to become a “trend.”
While the application of AI in drafting legislation showcases its potential benefits, concerns about AI misuse persist globally. Authorities, including those in India, have underscored the importance of regulating artificial intelligence to prevent misuse. Instances of deepfake technology, as evidenced by the manipulation of celebrities’ images and videos, have raised alarms about the potential for harm.
Addressing the need for regulation, the European Union (EU) has proposed an AI law to establish consistent standards for AI systems across its member states. The proposed legislation outlines various requirements for AI systems, emphasizing accuracy, reliability, and transparency. It prohibits the use of AI for specific purposes, such as social scoring and mass surveillance, and mandates transparency from companies regarding their AI usage. Additionally, individuals are granted rights to access and control their data. Adopted in April 2021, the EU’s AI Act is anticipated to come into effect in 2024.
The implementation of AI in legislative processes, as demonstrated by Porto Alegre’s water meter law, illustrates the evolving role of technology in governance. While offering efficiency and automation, it also raises ethical considerations and emphasizes the need for robust regulatory frameworks to guide the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence in various domains.
