In a move to promote responsible development, adoption, and usage of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, the Biden administration has released a comprehensive set of initiatives and recommendations. The White House aims to foster a culture of responsible AI technology usage and practice within the United States through a national strategic plan and education objectives.
The newly announced frameworks act as guidelines to codify responsible and effective AI algorithm usage, development, and deployment in the absence of federal laws. Recognizing the critical role of the federal government in this effort, the strategic plan emphasizes smart investments in research and development (R&D) to promote responsible innovation and address challenges beyond other sectors’ capabilities.
The three major announcements include a roadmap outlining priority areas for federal investments in AI research and development, a public request for information on mitigating AI system risks, and an analysis of the benefits and risks of AI technologies in education.
Developed by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the R&D Strategic Plan focuses on investing in safe-by-design AI systems that can be implemented in a social context. The plan prioritizes long-term investments in responsible AI, enhanced human-AI collaboration, ethical considerations, shared public datasets for training AI algorithms, workforce needs, public-private sector partnerships, and international collaborations.
The report on AI technologies in education, authored by leaders in the Department of Education, provides insights into how these systems can positively impact classrooms while minimizing potential risks. The recommendations encourage educators to leverage AI-powered systems for exam monitoring, writing assistance, and voice recognition, while emphasizing the need to counter bias and protect user data. The report emphasizes that AI should complement teachers and not replace them, affirming the Department’s commitment to rejecting the idea of AI replacing educators.
Additionally, the White House has called for public input on a new National AI Strategy. This forthcoming guidance aims to build on the Biden-Harris administration’s existing actions in AI and machine learning, charting a path toward a safe and integrated future with AI technologies. The strategy will address the latest opportunities and challenges posed by AI and incorporate public feedback to ensure comprehensive oversight and regulation.
The public is invited to submit comments on the National AI Strategy until July 7, 2023. Officials are particularly interested in oversight practices, secure software designs for AI language models, strengthening civil rights, and identifying vulnerabilities in critical infrastructures’ digital networks.
In a related development, the Biden administration is hosting a conversation with American workers to address concerns over automation and its broader economic impact. This dialogue reflects the growing importance of AI regulation across the federal government, particularly due to the rise of generative AI systems like ChatGPT, which have highlighted the need for comprehensive regulations in the AI/ML field.
With the release of these new frameworks and initiatives, the Biden administration aims to guide responsible AI development and usage while ensuring the protection of individuals’ rights and privacy. By fostering collaboration between government, industry, and the public, the United States seeks to lead the way in creating a safe and integrated future with AI technologies.
