'Existential Risks': AI Anxiety Fueling Stream of Shareholder Proposals

EY said in a report last month that the swift adoption of AI is posing a significant challenge for board audit committees. It said committee members “should inquire with management and internal audit regarding risk assessments around AI and related AI governance, including how risks around the ethical use of AI, accuracy of outputs, plagiarism, copyright, trademark violations, and protections of company IP were considered.”

Arjuna Capital, which specializes in sustainable investing and manages $319 million, partnered with the advocacy group Open MIC to submit proposals calling on Alphabet and Meta to produce in-depth reports on the dangers of generative AI’s deployment in misinformation campaigns and how the companies plan to address them.

“Alphabet and Meta need to assure billions of users and their shareholders that their management and boards are up to the task of responsibly managing [AI] technology,” Open MIC Executive Director Michael Connor said.