Is AI a Utility? Defining Usability and Public Trust

The podcast explores whether AI should be considered a utility by examining properties such as usability, accessibility, portability, and trust. Evangelos Simoudis argues that AI currently falls short, particularly in accessibility and the variability in output quality based on payment. He contrasts AI with established utilities like electricity, where quality is consistent regardless of cost. The conversation shifts to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in the age of generative AI, questioning whether platforms hosting AI-generated content should be considered distributors or publishers. Simoudis suggests a layered approach to Section 230, distinguishing between cases where platforms provide the AI model versus when users bring their own. The discussion highlights the complexities of content moderation, editorial oversight through algorithms, and the need for updated regulations.