Starks Thinks FCC Has Authority to Look at Tech Like AI

In areas such as artificial intelligence, debate remains over whether or how much jurisdiction the FCC has to oversee or regulate. "I very much will always speak when I believe we have statutory authority," Starks said. He told us that because AI is a new technology, any agency that has some authority will need to learn more about it. He said FCC has Telecom Act Section 222 authority on privacy and geolocation. He cited National Institute of Standards and Technology data showing AI applications tend to disproportionately impact persons of color. Starks will continue to speak on issues of importance to Americans. Even though he is not a political-majority commissioner, Starks said, "I am among equals in that regard."

"The personal is political," Starks said on his passion for advocating for vulnerable workers. He said workers in some communities have had the opportunity to perfect digital skills, but others find it harder if they don't have broadband access. Starks acknowledged some might ask "What role does the FCC have in the future of work?" but he asked, "What role doesn't the FCC have in the future of work?" He noted the agency's critical function in promoting 5G.

The National Urban League has an apprenticeship program so participants can earn a salary while they learn new future-based skills, said Senior Vice President Clint Odom. The Wireless Infrastructure Association was its inaugural partner, Odom said. Charter Communications, Comcast and Verizon have worked in the apprenticeship program "to bring jobs not just where they are but where they're going," he said.

When examining data on where vulnerable communities' jobs have been displaced, some groups, such as the disabled, indigenous communities, or those in immigrant households might not even show up, said Next Century Cities Executive Director Francella Ochillo. "We'll have to be careful with strategies."

AT&T wants historically black colleges and universities to partner on the future of work, said Vice President-Talent Acquisition Jason Oliver. The company also offers online skills training to the public. Oliver would like to involve the other panelists in such efforts. Odom "can't overemphasize the role" of HBCUs in developing digital skills: "We should be ensuring the participation of our folks in the workplace. If we don't address this, it will harm [U.S.] competitiveness."

Policymakers could have a role in incentivizing apprenticeships and bringing them to scale, through tax breaks, for example, said Vikrum Aiyer, Postmates vice president-public policy. He said the company is looking at a blended learning model that taps into Department of Labor funding. Amazon Vice President-Workforce Development Ardine Williams said going through Labor could be a heavy lift. So she would like to see other models, too.

"We have to meet people where they are," Starks said, such as giving people in poverty wrap-around services to allow them to access digital skills training. He wants to know how to help the machinists and cashiers most vulnerable to job loss in the future of work.

At AT&T's event, Business Marketing Chief Marketing Officer Mo Katibeh highlighted business uses for 5G. The ability of 5G to move more data more quickly and with lower latency will allow real-time transfer of point-of-sale and inventory information, and will allow employees to mobilize while staying connected, he said.

AT&T is working with Samsung on 5G manufacturing equipment with cameras that replace human inspectors on an assembly line. They are using AI and virtual reality to test guided work flows when workers' questions arise during an installation or repair. The application includes a "phone-a-friend" feature that allows a remote trainer to see what the problem is.

By 2030 the average American could have 60 to 120 IoT devices that connect to a 5G network, Katibeh said. He wants cars to communicate with stoplights and bicycles. Milliseconds could mean the difference between life and death in such vehicle-to-vehicle communications, he said.

"We'll have a connected patient ecosystem" where patients can take their personal medical devices and give the data to their healthcare providers, said Dr. Karen Rheuban, professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia Center for Telehealth. She's eager to see a finalized order from the FCC on its $100 million Connected Care pilot program (see 1906190013). She hopes 5G will be a central part of it. Asked by us about the upcoming 5G Fund for Rural America and whether recipients should be required to deliver 5G to rural hospitals, she wasn't familiar with that. She's in favor of "as much bandwidth as we can possibly get to rural hospitals. The more, the better and the faster, the better."