The new mandate by the Biden administration requires developers of major artificial intelligence systems to disclose their safety test results to the government. The White House AI Council will convene to assess the progress on President Joe Biden’s executive order aimed at overseeing the rapidly advancing technology.
One of the key directives within the 90-day goals outlined in the order is for AI companies to share crucial safety test data with the Commerce Department under the Defense Production Act. Ben Buchanan, the White House special adviser on AI, emphasized the importance of ensuring AI systems’ safety before their public release, highlighting the president’s stance on setting high standards for companies.
While software companies have agreed on specific categories for safety tests, there is currently no universal standard for compliance. The National Institute of Standards and Technology will work on establishing a consistent framework for evaluating safety, in line with Biden’s executive order.
The significance of AI in both economic and national security realms has prompted the federal government to prioritize regulations and collaborations with international partners like the European Union. The Commerce Department is crafting regulations concerning U.S. cloud companies offering servers to foreign AI developers.
Various federal agencies, including Defense, Transportation, Treasury, and Health and Human Services, have conducted risk evaluations on AI’s integration into critical national infrastructure such as the electric grid. Additionally, the government is bolstering its workforce by recruiting more AI experts and data scientists to effectively manage this transformative technology.
Buchanan reiterated the positive impact and potential of AI while underscoring the importance of regulatory preparedness to navigate the evolving landscape of AI technology.
