President Joe Biden's signing of the nation's first executive order on artificial intelligence is a significant step toward controlling and guiding the advancement of AI technology. This comprehensive directive encompasses eight main components aimed at ensuring safety, equity, privacy, and innovation in the AI sector.
Firstly, the order establishes new safety and security standards for AI companies, including requirements to share safety test results with the federal government. It also directs the Commerce Department to develop AI watermarking guidelines and create a program to identify critical software flaws.
Secondly, the executive order focuses on protecting consumer privacy by setting criteria for agencies to evaluate AI privacy solutions.
Thirdly, it aims to promote equity and civil rights by advising landlords and federal contractors on how to mitigate discrimination caused by AI algorithms. It also seeks to develop best practices for AI's use in sentencing, risk assessments, and crime forecasting.
Fourthly, the order instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to examine potentially hazardous AI-related health-care practices and provides educators with guidelines for safe use of AI tools.
Fifthly, it mandates a report on the labor market implications of AI and investigates how the federal government can support workers affected by disruptions in the job market.
Sixthly, the order promotes innovation and competition by increasing funding for AI research on climate change and upgrading standards for highly skilled immigrant workers.
Seventhly, it emphasizes the importance of implementing global AI standards in collaboration with foreign partners.
Lastly, the directive guides federal agencies in their use and procurement of AI and expedites the recruitment of AI experts within the government.
This executive order represents a pivotal moment in the regulation of AI technology. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed hailed it as the most robust set of actions any government has ever taken on AI safety, security, and trust. While 15 major American While technology companies have made voluntary commitments to AI safety, the administration believes that concrete regulation is necessary.
President Biden emphasized the need for congressional action to complement this executive order. The order sets forth a timeline of 90 days for some safety and security measures, while others may take up to a year.
This directive, with the force of law, sets a precedent for the global AI community and underscores the importance of government intervention in this rapidly advancing field.
