U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order on October 30 that introduces new standards to enhance the safety and security of artificial intelligence (AI). This executive order builds upon previous actions and commitments made by leading industry companies to promote AI safety. It outlines six primary standards, addressing the ethical use of AI in government, safeguarding citizen privacy, and protecting consumer privacy.
The first standard mandates developers of the most advanced AI systems to share the results of safety tests and "critical information" with the government. The second point highlights the role of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in developing standardized tools and tests to ensure AI's safety, reliability, and trustworthiness.
To address potential risks, the order emphasizes the prevention of AI's misuse in engineering "hazardous biological materials" through new biosynthetic screening criteria. It also focuses on combating AI-driven fraud and deception, proposing the establishment of standards and best practices for detecting AI-generated content and verifying official content.
In the realm of cybersecurity, the government seeks to enhance ongoing initiatives, such as the AI Cyber Challenge, to develop AI tools capable of identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities in critical software. Additionally, the executive order mandates the creation of a national security memorandum that will further guide actions related to AI safety.
The order also underscores the importance of addressing privacy concerns related to AI. It acknowledges the increased risk to Americans' privacy stemming from AI's ability to extract, identify, and exploit personal data. Consequently, it calls on Congress to pass bipartisan data privacy legislation and emphasizes the need for federal support for privacy technology development and research.
Within the government, the order outlines plans to establish clear standards to safeguard rights and safety, improve AI procurement, and strengthen AI deployment. Furthermore, it calls for AI training programs for all relevant government employees. The executive order signals a comprehensive approach to AI regulation, addressing ethical, privacy, and security issues, and positioning the United States to engage in global AI governance discussions.
