The US has issued new safeguards that require greater caution from agencies that use artificial intelligence.
It says these changes are necessary to protect the public as artificial intelligence evolves rapidly. However, the new policy also includes provisions that promote innovation in artificial intelligence in government services when the technology can be used for the public benefit.
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The US is seeking to emerge as a global leader with its new regime for the use of government artificial intelligence. Vice President Kamala Harris said during a press conference before the announcement that the administration plans to make the policies “an example for global action.” She noted that the “United States” “will continually urge all nations to follow our lead and prioritize the public interest when it comes to the government’s use of artificial intelligence.”
The new policy from the White House Office of Management and Budget will guide the use of artificial intelligence across the federal government. It calls for greater transparency about how the government uses artificial intelligence and calls for further development of the technology in federal agencies. The policy seeks to strike a balance between mitigating the risks of deeper use of artificial intelligence — the extent of which remains unknown — and using artificial intelligence tools to address existential threats, such as climate change and disease.
The announcement adds to a series of measures by the Biden administration aimed at regulating and developing artificial intelligence. In October, President Joe Biden signed a sweeping executive order on artificial intelligence, which promotes the government’s expansion of artificial intelligence technology but also requires those who create large AI models to provide the government with information about their activities, in the interest of national security.
In November, the US, UK, China and EU members joined in signing a statement that acknowledged the risks of rapid developments in artificial intelligence, and called for international cooperation.
The U.S. government’s new policy on the use of artificial intelligence, announced Thursday, calls on agencies to take necessary steps to address the negative impacts of the development of artificial intelligence. First, agencies must ensure that the artificial intelligence technologies they use do not put Americans at risk. For example, before the Department of Veterans Affairs uses artificial intelligence in its hospitals, it must ensure that the technology does not lead to racially biased diagnoses. Research has shown that artificial intelligence technologies and algorithms used in diagnosing or deciding how to treat patients can reinforce historical patterns of discrimination.
If an organization has difficulty providing these guarantees, it must either stop using the AI system or justify its continued use. Services in the US must comply with the new requirements by December 1.
The policy also calls for greater transparency about government AI systems. This includes requiring agencies to publish government-owned AI models, data, and code. This action is required as long as the disclosure of such information does not pose a threat to either the public or the government. In addition, agencies must publicly report annually on how AI is being used, the potential risks posed by the systems, and how those risks are being addressed.
The new rules require federal agencies to strengthen their expertise in artificial intelligence, making it mandatory to appoint a chief artificial intelligence officer to oversee the technologies used. This position focuses on promoting innovation in artificial intelligence and identifying potential risks.
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Officials say the changes will remove some barriers to the use of artificial intelligence in federal agencies, encouraging more responsible use of the technology. The technology can help assess damage after natural disasters, predict extreme weather, map the spread of diseases and control air traffic.
Countries around the world are moving towards the integration of artificial intelligence. In December, the European Union passed a bill on artificial intelligence, which regulates the use and creation of such technologies, and it was officially adopted this month. In addition, China is pursuing comprehensive regulation of artificial intelligence.
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Source: wired.com
