Biden Executive Order on AI
On October 30, 2023, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order, which we think is a major step towards regulating AI in the United States. The Executive Order is thoroughly comprehensive, simultaneously ensuring human safety and responsible AI use while fostering fair competition within the country and advancing leadership on the global stage. There are eight major topics that the EO covers:
- New standards for AI safety and security: The Executive Order requires developers of powerful AI systems to share safety test results with the US government. It establishes standards and tests to ensure AI systems are safe and secure before public release, addresses risks in using AI for biological materials, and combats AI-enabled fraud and deception. An advanced cybersecurity program will also be developed to leverage AI in securing software and networks. It directs the National Security Council and White House Chief of Staff to develop a National Security Memorandum, guiding further AI and security actions, ensuring the US military and intelligence community’s safe, ethical, and effective use of AI, and outlining measures to counter adversaries’ military AI applications.
- Protecting Americans’ privacy: The order emphasizes protecting privacy by accelerating the development and use of privacy-preserving techniques in AI. It includes funding research for privacy technologies and developing guidelines for federal agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques, especially in AI systems.
- Advancing equity and civil rights: This addresses the responsible principles of fairness and inclusiveness. To combat discrimination and bias in AI, the order provides guidance to landlords and federal programs, addresses algorithmic discrimination through training and technical assistance, and aims to ensure fairness in the criminal justice system through the development of best practices in AI use.
- Standing up for consumers, patients, and students: This includes advancing responsible AI use in healthcare, such as developing affordable drugs and establishing a safety program for healthcare practices involving AI. It also involves creating resources to support educators using AI-enabled educational tools.
- Responsible Development of AI Solutions: Building with Integrity and Care
- Supporting workers: The order directs the development of principles and best practices to maximize AI benefits for workers, addressing issues such as job displacement, labor standards, and workplace equity. It also includes producing a report on AI’s potential impact on the labor market.
- Promoting innovation and competition: Actions include catalyzing AI research nationwide, promoting a competitive AI ecosystem by providing resources to small developers, and expanding the ability of skilled immigrants to work in the US in AI-related fields.
- Advancing American leadership abroad: The administration will work with other nations to support the global deployment and use of safe and trustworthy AI. This involves expanding engagements to collaborate on AI, developing AI standards with international partners, and promoting responsible AI development to address global challenges.
- Ensuring responsible and effective governmental use of AI: The order aims to modernize federal AI infrastructure and ensure responsible AI deployment in government. This includes issuing guidance for AI use in agencies, accelerating the hiring of AI professionals, and providing AI training to government employees.
In summary, while compliance plays a pivotal role in fostering safer and more responsible AI systems, it can indeed be a double-edged sword. Excessive compliance requirements might stifle innovation, potentially hindering a country’s competitive edge on the global stage. Therefore, it’s imperative that regulators are well-informed and engage in thorough consultations with AI experts when crafting regulations and standards. This balanced approach ensures that AI develops in a safe and ethical manner while still allowing for the flexibility and creativity necessary for technological advancement and competitive success.
