Misuse of AI could result in data leaks, privacy intrusions, business disruptions and human rights abuses.
Tulipshare , a London-based activist investor group that owns thousands of Berkshire Hathaway shares, wants a committee of independent directors to oversee AI-related risks across the holding company’s dozens of companies .
Behind the argument for regulation lies the idea that misuse of AI could result in data leaks, privacy intrusions, business disruptions and human rights abuses . Moreover, Berkshire Hathaway’s influence across many industries gives it a unique opportunity to lead AI governance.
At the corporation’s annual meeting last May, Buffett said he knew nothing about AI, but he didn’t deny its importance. In fact, he said the technology had «enormous potential for good and enormous potential for evil .» That’s why Debbie Bosanek, Buffett’s assistant, revealed that she would include Tulipshare’s proposal in her proxy statement .
Still, Buffett and other board members routinely oppose issuing reports or forming independent committees within the board to review Berkshire’s operations, since decentralization allows businesses to run largely without intervention from the top.
Even a proposal last year to have independent directors oversee safety at Berkshire’s BNSF railroad received just 3.6% support from shareholders.
