In addition to US President Joseph Biden’s recent executive order on artificial intelligence (AI), Vice President Kamala Harris recently announced a series of new US initiatives that will build on the executive order. Following the vice president’s announcement at the Global Summit on AI Safety in the United Kingdom, the administration issued a Fact Sheet outlining the initiatives.
- The United States AI Safety Institute. The administration is creating the United States AI Safety Institute, which will operationalize the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework. The Institute will develop guidance to be used by regulators involved in rulemaking and enforcement on issues such as authenticating content created by humans, watermarking AI-generated content, identifying and mitigating discrimination caused by AI, ensuring transparency, and enabling adoption of privacy-preserving AI. The Institute will also be empowered to share information and collaborate on research with international institutions.
- Draft Policy Guidance on US Government Use of AI. The administration released for public comment a draft policy for the US government’s use of AI. The draft policy will require that federal departments and agencies conduct AI impact assessments; identify, monitor, and mitigate AI risks; train AI operators; conduct public notice and consultation for the use of AI; and offer options to appeal issues caused by AI. Public comments are due by December 5, 2023.
- Political Declaration on the Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy. Vice President Harris announced that 31 nations have joined the United States in endorsing the US Political Declaration on the Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy. The declaration establishes a set of standards for responsible development, deployment, and use of military AI capabilities.
- New Funders Initiative to Advance AI in the Public Interest. Vice President Harris announced that 10 foundations are starting a funders network to coordinate philanthropic efforts to advance the use of AI in the public interest. The foundations have committed more than $200 million to this effort.
The administration is taking additional actions with respect to AI including (1) taking steps to develop tools to detect and block fraudulent phone calls using AI-generated voice models; (2) requesting support from other countries on the development and implementation of international standards to enable the public to effectively identify and trace authentic government-produced digital content and AI-generated or manipulated content; and (3) developing a pledge with the Freedom Online Coalition of 38 countries that incorporates responsible and rights-respecting practices in government development, procurement, and use of AI.