United States President Biden Takes Action on AI
The United States president, Joe Biden, has issued an executive order aimed at establishing new rules and standards for artificial intelligence (AI) companies. The order is designed to secure America’s leadership in the field of AI while also protecting citizen privacy and addressing potential labor market effects. This comprehensive order seeks to prevent discrimination caused by AI algorithms and requires AI companies to share safety test results with the U.S. government when there is a serious risk to national security or public health.
Standards for Safety Testing and Critical Infrastructure
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will be responsible for creating the standards for safety tests, which will be applied to critical infrastructure projects to ensure they can withstand threats from AI. Additionally, the order calls for the development of methods that allow citizens to verify the authenticity of communications and distinguish them from AI-generated content.
Mitigating Labor Disruptions and Protecting Privacy
The executive order recognizes the potential impact of AI on labor security and aims to develop principles and best practices to mitigate harm and maximize benefits for workers. It also urges Congress to pass bipartisan data privacy legislation to protect all Americans, especially children. The order emphasizes research into privacy-preserving techniques and the examination of how companies collect and use information.
Reactions from Experts and Organizations
The executive order has garnered reactions from various organizations. Maia Hamin, an associate director with the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, sees potential in the standardization initiatives for pre-release testing of highly capable AI models. SAG AFTRA, the U.S. actors guild syndicate currently on strike with an AI-related component, congratulated President Biden and emphasized the importance of workers and unions in policy development.
Hot Take: Biden’s Executive Order Sets the Stage for AI Leadership
President Biden’s executive order on AI sets a clear path for the United States to secure its leadership in the field. By establishing standards for safety testing, addressing potential labor disruptions, and protecting citizen privacy, this order demonstrates a commitment to harnessing the benefits of AI while mitigating potential harms. The involvement of organizations like NIST and the recognition of workers’ interests highlight a human-centered approach. With this executive order, the U.S. aims to lead the way in responsible and trustworthy AI development.