BEYOND THE CODE: AI REGULATIONS AS THE SECRET COMPASS OF ENGINEERING MANAGERS
Abstract
Technology is a product of society. As technology evolves, the norms governing it have to mature for enabling its proper use within the society. The interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surged following the introduction of chatGPT. Firms, both large and small, are competing to develop new products and solutions involving AI. Amidst these developments, leading corporations such as Google and Microsoft have proactively committed to upholding responsible innovation in AI development. Governments worldwide are responding with the creation of guidelines and regulations in the field. Notably, in March 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted landmark regulation on AI.
At the heart of these developments in AI are engineering managers who leverage technical advances to build products and services that create value. To effectively harness AI for human benefit, engineering managers must be aware of these evolving regulations governing AI. Some regulations such as Digital Markets Act (DMA) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) have far reaching consequences for organizations globally. Having a working knowledge of these statutory requirements will enable engineering managers to identify the opportunities and constraints in leveraging AI technology while building products and services. It will allow them to make informed decisions about data collection methods, model training processes, the deployment of AI systems and metrics for their evaluation. At scale, it can become a competitive advantage for the firms they work in, as explored through real-world examples in this paper.
At the heart of these developments in AI are engineering managers who leverage technical advances to build products and services that create value. To effectively harness AI for human benefit, engineering managers must be aware of these evolving regulations governing AI. Some regulations such as Digital Markets Act (DMA) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) have far reaching consequences for organizations globally. Having a working knowledge of these statutory requirements will enable engineering managers to identify the opportunities and constraints in leveraging AI technology while building products and services. It will allow them to make informed decisions about data collection methods, model training processes, the deployment of AI systems and metrics for their evaluation. At scale, it can become a competitive advantage for the firms they work in, as explored through real-world examples in this paper.
