TheBridge profile: Victoria Espinel
Name: Victoria Espinel
Current city: Washington, DC
Current job: CEO, BSA | The Software Alliance and President, Software.org: the BSA Foundation
Other roles: Member of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC) and Board Member for ChIPs
Past job: President Obama’s advisor on intellectual property and, before that, the first ever chief US trade negotiator for intellectual property and innovation at USTR
Q. How are you currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? Innovation and regulation don’t have to be in conflict. Some laws and regulations are outdated, and need updating both to reflect our modern economy and anticipate future innovation. At BSA, we work to educate policymakers around the globe about what our companies do to responsibly advance new technologies that enable every part of the economy.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Policymakers should consider the impact of their decisions on the community as a whole. In that same vein, innovators should take into account the broader impact of their technology for society.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Innovators are often experimenting with new ideas and tools and try to “fail fast.” Policymakers can learn to realize when something isn’t working and quickly adjust.
Q. AI has the potential to reshape our world for the better. We also know AI will be used in adversarial ways to undermine trust, etc. How can we best prepare for unintended uses and negative impacts? How can the United States help drive the global conversation around AI? As the CEO of an association representing companies pioneering AI tools, I see how artificial intelligence can reshape and benefit every sector in our economy. As a member of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, I work alongside stakeholders with very different viewpoints.
It’s important to build trust in AI and guard against its unintended consequences; the United States has a pivotal role to play in developing AI policy that builds trust.
Focusing on mitigating the impacts of high-risk uses of AI is a good starting point for building trust. BSA works with the US and other governments and institutions worldwide to make sure that policymakers strike the right balance between building trust and guarding against negative outcomes on AI.
Q. Why are you part of TheBridge community? Why do you think it's important this community exists for tech, policy and political professionals? I have been passionate about learning and mentorship in the tech sector for years, which is why I became a founding sponsor for Girls Who Code and serve on the Board of Directors for ChIPs. I want to empower women to ask questions about policy and technology so that they can influence others around them. TheBridge community offers a unique network of individuals spanning sectors that are passionate about their professions in tech, policy, and politics. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work in the intersection of tech, policy, and politics for the majority of my career, and appreciate the chance to give back and learn something about the people that care about the same topics I do.
Q. Job advice in three words? Keep it interesting.
Q. Is there a skill you learned early in your career that is still helping you today? My father immigrated from Colombia, and that gave me a keen perspective during my time as a United States trade negotiator on the importance of the US as an example around the world. At BSA, we see on a daily basis how policy developments in one country influence the regulations in another country.
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Anywhere with strong coffee.
Q. Favorite book you’d like to recommend? I’m usually reading several books at a time so I can skip back and forth depending on my mood. Books from the last two weeks: The Great Gatsby (again!); The Art of Raising a Puppy; The Ruin of all Witches: Life and Death in the New World; The Christie Affair; An Immense World; Dispatches from the Gilded Age; Data Driven; How to be Perfect; Dilettante; Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America; Midwinter Murder; The Course of History: Ten Meals that Changed the World.
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself in the beginning of your career? Most career decisions are not final – so you can take chances – and make changes if it’s not working for you.
Q. What's one piece of advice you are still trying to master? Remember to stop and celebrate success (while you move on to the next challenge).
Q. Living person you admire? The brave women protesting in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s tragic death serve as an inspiration to women and men worldwide.
Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? Caring enough to speak up thoughtfully when they disagree.
Q. Last time you were completely unplugged? During the pandemic, I created monthly “Mental Health Days” for the BSA staff. Everyone in our organization must take a day off each month on top of normal PTO. The only rule is that you CANNOT check work email, texts, or other communications. It’s a fantastic break.
Q. How do you unwind after work? Easy answer: reading Harry Potter with my sons.
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📢Don't miss a range of #careeropportunities in TheBridge Update📧 including: ✔️Public Policy Lead ✔️Govt Relations… https://t.co/06uF6hmh1c