In a significant move to oversee the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence (AI), President Joe Biden has issued a comprehensive executive order directing the US government to set forth stringent regulations. This measure, released on Monday, marks a pivotal step in managing an emerging technology that has evoked both apprehension and praise.
The executive order introduces fresh benchmarks pertaining to security and privacy protections for AI, exerting profound implications on companies. Powerhouse developers like Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com Inc., and Alphabet Inc.’s Google will be mandated to subject potent AI models to rigorous safety assessments, with results to be submitted to the government prior to public release.
Leveraging the US government’s position as a leading customer for major tech enterprises, this rule aims to scrutinize technology carrying potential national, economic, health, and safety risks. It is anticipated to apply primarily to forthcoming systems, rather than those already in circulation, clarified a senior administration official.
Furthermore, this initiative establishes a framework for watermarking standards for AI-generated content, encompassing audio or images, commonly known as “deepfakes.” The Commerce Department is tasked with aiding in the formulation of measures to counter public misinformation regarding authentic content.
This move builds upon the voluntary commitments to securely deploy AI, adopted by over a dozen companies at the White House’s behest earlier this summer, and the blueprint for an “AI Bill of Rights,” a guiding principle for responsible development and utilization.
All 15 signatory companies, including Adobe Inc. and Salesforce Inc., will join the president at a signing ceremony at the White House on Monday, alongside members of Congress.
Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith of Microsoft lauded the order as “another critical step forward in the governance of AI technology” in a statement.
This directive from President Biden precedes a visit by Vice President Kamala Harris and industry leaders to a UK-hosted summit focused on AI risks, furnishing them with a comprehensive US plan to present on the international stage.
For fiscal year 2023, the US has allocated $1.6 billion for AI, a figure expected to rise as further details on military spending are disclosed, according to Bloomberg Government data.
International Business Machines Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna emphasized, “This executive order sends a critical message: that AI used by the United States government will be responsible AI,” in a statement.
President Biden also emphasized the need for guidance to shield Americans from algorithmic bias in housing, government benefit programs, and by federal contractors. The Justice Department underscored in a January filing that companies employing algorithms for tenant screening are liable under the Fair Housing Act for any discrimination against Black applicants. Biden has instructed the department to outline best practices for investigating and prosecuting such civil-rights violations in AI applications, including within the criminal justice system.
Moreover, the order calls on immigration officials to ease visa requirements for foreign talent seeking to contribute to American AI companies.
Jordan Burris, former contributor to the US government’s tech and cyber initiatives, including a Trump administration executive order on AI, stressed the necessity for effective and timely implementation of the order. He underscored the complexity involved in ensuring the intended outcomes are achieved, emphasizing the need for resources, training, and educational efforts.
While the administration hails this latest action as the most robust advancement of AI regulation, Congress may pursue further measures. President Biden has urged lawmakers to enact privacy legislation, though a definitive stance on comprehensive AI regulation is still in the works, according to an administration official.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has advocated for a minimum of $32 billion in upcoming years to bolster AI research and development.
Lawmakers have engaged in briefings and consultations with tech leaders, including Meta Platforms Inc.’s Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, to deepen their understanding of the technology before drafting legislation. Venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and John Doerr have also been involved in these closed-door meetings.
Source: Bloomberg
