States of Confusion: Despite Much Discussion – and Hundreds of Legislative Proposals – AI Policy Lacks Clarity

On both the supply and demand sides of artificial intelligence, there is consensus that technology so powerful and transformative needs governing principles and ethics, operational guardrails and sound risk management. Yet corporate leaders must try to chart their courses while legal clarity and certainty are still lacking.

The open regulatory and governance questions may be contributing to some mixed messaging in executive ranks. In a Boston Consulting Group multi-industry survey of 1,400 senior executives, 81% ranked AI and generative AI as a top-three tech priority for 2024.

Although recognizing the need for increased investment, “too many organizations are slow to embrace the revolution,” BCG concluded; 66% were ambivalent or dissatisfied with their AI and GenAI progress, and of those, 62% cited a shortage of talent and skills, 47% unclear investment priorities and 42% the absence of a strategy for responsible AI.

“Excitement over this technology is palpable, and early pilots are compelling,” said a 2023 McKinsey & Co. report on GenAI. “But a full realization of the technology’s benefits will take time, and leaders in business...