Heinrich Joins Fireside Chat on Artificial Intelligence and Future of Creative Economy

SANTA FE, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Founder and Co-Chair of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus, joined acclaimed writer and producer George R.R. Martin and University of New Mexico Professor and Santa Fe Institute External Faculty Member Melanie Moses to explore the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in arts and culture and its impact on New Mexico's creative economy. 

 

The event was moderated by Santa Fe Reporter senior correspondent Julia Goldberg at the Violet Crown in Santa Fe.  

 

Creative industries are among the most impacted by the recent wave of generative AI. Software tools make it possible for anyone to create a poem or digital art. That democratization of automated creativity will have a number of hard-to-forecast impacts on the creative economy. During the discussion, Heinrich, Martin, and Moses dove into these complicated issues and the related role of responsible AI policy. 

 

“AI should be a tool for human content creators, not a replacement. We need to set clear guardrails on AI technologies that protect intellectual property and fairly compensate creative work,” said Heinrich. “As we move forward on AI policy in Congress, I’m committed to protecting the rights and livelihoods of our creative professionals in New Mexico and across the country, ensuring their work is celebrated, supported, and protected.”  

 

A video of the fireside chat can be found here. 

 

Heinrich has built an extensive track record of leading successful bipartisan efforts on responsible AI policy.  

 

 In 2019, Heinrich helped establish the bipartisan AI Caucus with former Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to keep the United States at the forefront of responsible AI innovation while maintaining important ethical, safety, and privacy standards.  

 

In July, Heinrich introduced the CREATE AI Act, legislation that implements many of the recommendations of the NAIRR Task Force, providing AI researchers and students with greater access to the complex resources, data, and tools needed to develop safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence.  

 

Heinrich has maintained a lead role on Leader Schumer’s bipartisan working group as Congress continues to take steps toward comprehensive legislation to address emerging AI. Since June, the group has met every couple of weeks to strategize on policy solutions, particularly ahead of upcoming AI Insight Forums. These meetings have been very productive — enabling the Senators to engage in candid conversations about their respective interests and concerns.