Biden’s "aggressive" AI executive order

The White House calls it "the strongest set of actions any government in the world has ever taken on AI safety, security, and trust."

Author

Delve AI Analyst Team
October 30, 2023

President Biden's AI Executive Order is out today, and The White House wants your one-word takeaway to be "aggressive." Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed claims it is "the strongest set of actions any government in the world has ever taken on AI safety, security, and trust." The Administration is backing up those words with its go-to policy hammer, the 🔨 Defense Production Act.

Following our earlier insight into the anticipated components of the order, here's a quick breakdown of what's in the order, based on The White House fact sheet released this morning and tracking on the issue by our analyst team:

🌐 Safety & Security Standards:

  • Developers of high-risk AI systems will be required to share safety test results with the U.S. government (under the authority of the Defense Production Act).

  • NIST to set stringent standards for red-team testing, ensuring AI safety pre-release.

  • DHS to form the AI Safety and Security Board, covering AI threats across various risk zones.

🔒 Americans' Privacy:

  • The White House wants Congress to finally pass data privacy legislation.

  • Accelerate privacy-preserving techniques, ensuring AI systems' are trained without compromising data.

  • Heightened guidance for federal agencies regarding AI privacy risks.

⚖ Equity & Civil Rights:

  • Clear guidance for sectors like housing to deter AI-enabled discrimination.

  • Department of Justice and Federal civil rights offices to lead in combating AI-related civil rights violations.

  • Emphasis on ensuring fairness in AI's role within the criminal justice system.

🛍️ Consumer, Patient, and Student Rights:

  • HHS to stand up AI complaint program and focus on safe AI use in healthcare.

  • Resources to help educators harness AI-powered tools in classrooms.

💼 Workforce Dynamics:

  • Principles to counterbalance potentially negative impacts of AI on job markets and work environments.

  • Reports and studies on potential labor-market effects of AI.

🎓 Innovation & Competition:

  • Pilot launch of the National AI Research Resource and support for AI startups.

  • Revamp existing visa processes to attract global AI talent.

🌍 Global AI Leadership:

  • Broadening international collaboration on AI and implementing AI standards.

  • Promote AI's responsible global deployment to tackle international challenges.

🏛️ Government AI Deployment:

  • Clear guidance for government use of AI.

  • Facilitating rapid AI talent acquisition and comprehensive AI training for governmental roles.

❓ What's next:

Vice President Kamala Harris will address AI safety at the UK Summit this week, and expect Admin officials to take this new executive order on the road to other countries.

💡 This whole-of-government approach is the Biden Administration's first big attempt to place guardrails around AI, but a senior official said this morning “We are not at all suggesting this is the end of the road on AI governance, and we look forward to engaging with the Congress to go further.”

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