Erik Brown

Follower of Christ, father, husband, consultant, entrepreneur, software engineer, and passionate music snob. Director of #Technology at @WestMonroe

[Andrew Ng @AndrewYNg]

Laws to ensure AI applications are safe, fair, and transparent are needed. But the White House's use of the Defense Production Act—typically reserved for war or national emergencies—distorts AI through the lens of security, for example with phrases like "companies developing any foundation model that poses a serious risk to national security."

Yes, AI -- like many technologies such as electricity and encryption -- is dual use in the sense it can be used for civilian or military purposes. But conflating AI safety for civilian use cases and military applications is a mistake.

It’s also a mistake to set reporting requirements based on a computation threshold for model training. This will stifle open source and innovation: (i) Today’s supercomputer is tomorrow’s pocket watch. So as AI progresses, more players -- including small companies without the compliance capabilities of big tech -- will run into this threshold. (ii) Over time, governments’ reporting requirements tend to become more burdensome. (Ask yourself: Has the tax code become more, or less, complicated over time?)

The right place to regulate AI is at the application layer. Requiring AI applications such as underwriting software, healthcare applications, self-driving, chat applications, etc. to meet stringent requirements, even pass audits, can ensure safety. But adding burdens to foundation model development unnecessarily slows down AI’s progress.

While the White House order isn’t currently stifling startups and open source, it seems to be a step in that direction. The devil will be in the details as its implementation gets fleshed out -- no doubt with assistance from lobbyists -- and I see a lot of risk of missteps. I welcome good regulation to promote responsible AI, and hope the White House can get there.

[West Monroe @WestMonroe]

Our @erikrbrown chats with @BillyHurls and @ITBrew about the emergence and importance of full-stack developers in the #tech space. 👇

[West Monroe @WestMonroe]

It’s official: Our investment transaction with @msd_partners has closed. Read more here: https://t.co/9rULW2mg4d

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

Excited to continue our growth as @WestMonroe announces plans to invest $250 million in a new global product development platform! Read more about it here! https://t.co/DJ3gcGwDCx

[Mark Hamill @MarkHamill]

Did you know...
I voiced multiple secret voice-cameos in every #StarWars movie released since 2015?*

*(Sequels, Solo, Rogue One)

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

This is just so cool - someone missing live shows recreated a mini #WallOfSound #GratefulDead
https://t.co/rmqL1PJhmB

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

That's pretty fun #RaspberryPi400 https://t.co/Y098uHcyX3

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

We've lost one of the best guitarists of all time and a true innovator. RIP Eddie Van Halen https://t.co/EHOyisbV6B

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

Anyone who works with Penny Wand will not be surprised by this incredible recognition - so proud to have her as a leader in our Technology practice! Congrats, Penny, for being named one of @Consulting_Mag's Women Leaders in Technology. https://t.co/OtOWbzo3Fy

[Governor JB Pritzker @GovPritzker]

Today, I’m issuing a call to action: I'm asking all former physicians, nurses, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, & respiratory care therapists who have recently left the field, whether for retirement or a new profession, to come back and join the fight against #COVID19.

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

Interesting read on what the "new normal" may become - via @techreview https://t.co/6PzaIw2PN7

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

@YouTubeTV I’m anxiously awaiting to hear on @WatchMarquee. Love this service but I will move to @hulu if there’s no deal by opening day.

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

Not sure I agree with the title, but the sentiment is spot on. The startup allure is giving "innovation" a bad name. Successful #innovation is more practical, less risky, calculated, managed. It does NOT have to be disruptive! https://t.co/p41U4buRaI

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

I hesitated when I hit return to create a Docker image and pull down dependencies 30K in the air...but pleasantly surprised. Newer @AmericanAir WIFI is much better.

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

While it misses important roles between the "plumbing" and the lower level language/framework engineering, an interesting and quick read: Rethinking #programming https://t.co/zwmQJM83UO via @oreillymedia

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

Fun start to the year; @FortuneMagazine ran a piece from a recent interview. #AI is only as good as the #data on which it is based - lessons businesses can learn from watching consumer AI. https://t.co/Hz893RHBxo

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

🤦‍♂️#ProgrammerHumor

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

Could be a meaningful develepment for #Solar and #GreenEnergy - https://t.co/O5eTbijXJh

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

There's going to be more and more of this merger of #IoT and #Medicine to drive more proactive #Healthcare - cool to see some results. https://t.co/tJ2j7O9zC6

[Erik Brown @erikrbrown]

.@WestMonroe is entering a multi-year strategic partnership with rMark Bio to help life science companies more readily utilize #AI in #LifeSciences. Excited to see where this goes! https://t.co/FMp1qqq4IX