Honors Theses

Advisor

Daniel Birdsong, Ph.D.

Department

Political Science

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the defining achievement of our time, processing vast amounts of data, generating intelligent outcomes, and enhancing our efficiency. As such, AI has the potential for both great benefits and significant harms. First, I reviewed the five most significant and immediate problems posed by AI. After recognizing the problems, I conduct in-depth analysis on the current regulatory structures of the federal government. I examine seven different departments as well as certain state and international regulatory structures to determine what harms are already addressed, where the gaps exist, and where the new policy is necessary. Then, I briefly review proposed solutions to these problems, before finally laying out a comprehensive, 14 step federal AI policy. This policy aims to balance innovation and regulation and provide ethical guidelines for AI regulations that can be effectively implemented by the federal government. I also provide a list of potential future policies. Since AI is constantly evolving, this list could be referenced for important policy in the future, it simply lacks an apparent immediate necessity. While it is nearly impossible to predict with full accuracy the development of AI and create perfect policies to regulate it, this paper provides a fundamental analysis as to actions that can be taken to prevent AI from exacerbating significant problems over the foreseeable future.

Permission Statement

This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.

Keywords

Undergraduate research

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