News

FCC and NSF to convene experts on AI opportunities and challenges for networks and consumers

21 June 2023

An upcoming workshop may provide insight into the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) developing approach to AI governance and regulation. Next month, the FCC and National Science Foundation (NSF) will host a joint workshop, The Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence for Communications Networks and Consumers, which will take place at FCC Headquarters on July 13, 2023, beginning at 9:00 am. The half-day workshop will bring together stakeholders to discuss the possibilities and dangers AI presents for the telecommunications and technology sectors. The workshop is open to the public and also will be available via live feed on the FCC’s website.

Agenda

The workshop will begin with opening remarks from FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel and NSF Director Dr. Sethranan Panchanathan. A keynote address by Dr. Margaret Martonosi, Assistant Director for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) at NSF will follow.

The agenda also includes two panel discussions with a diverse group of participants, including network operator and vendors, leading academics, federal agency personnel, and public interest group representatives. The first panel will consider the impact of AI on communications networks and technologies, exploring opportunities for spectrum management, traffic optimization, and network resiliency. The second panel will explore the tools provided and challenges created by AI from the perspective of consumer empowerment. The panelists will address a range of consumer concerns including robocalls and robotexts, digital equity and discrimination, and broadband transparency and affordability.

Details

The workshop will run from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm EDT and will be available via live feed on the FCC web page at www.fcc.gov/live. A recording will also be available after the event. Preregistration is encouraged and can be completed by submitting your name and company affiliation in an email to FCCAIworkshop@fcc.gov. The deadline to register is July 6, 2023.

Significance

This workshop indicates that the FCC has a nascent interest in AI use cases in the telecommunications sector, while also signaling its concerns about the consumer impacts of such technologies. While the FCC has not yet issued a Notice of Inquiry or Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the impact of AI on telecom networks and technologies, these types of workshops and outreach across industry and interest groups tend to be a precursor to regulatory activity. With this workshop, the FCC is joining the White House and other federal agencies such as National Telecommunications Information Administration and Department of Health and Human Services in investigating the opportunities and challenges associated with AI and exploring options for future regulation.

Authored by Mark Brennan, Katy Milner, and Ryan Thompson.