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Key Points from President Biden’s Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI (October 30, 2023)

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Key Points from President Biden’s Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI (October 30, 2023)

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Gigi Kenneth
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3 min read

President Biden's Executive Order aims to ensure the U.S. leads in both leveraging and managing the risks of AI by establishing new safety standards, protecting privacy, advancing equity, supporting consumers and workers, promoting innovation, and enhancing international collaboration.

Major Actions Directed by the Executive Order:

1. New Standards for AI Safety and Security

  • Safety Test Results Sharing: Developers of powerful AI systems must share safety test results and critical information with the U.S. government.

  • Standards Development: NIST to set rigorous standards for red-team testing to ensure AI safety. DHS to apply these standards to critical infrastructure and establish the AI Safety and Security Board.

  • Biological Materials: Develop strong standards for biological synthesis screening to prevent misuse by AI.

  • AI-Generated Content: Establish standards for detecting and authenticating AI-generated content to prevent fraud and deception.

  • Cybersecurity Program: Develop AI tools to enhance cybersecurity, building on the AI Cyber Challenge.

  • National Security Memorandum: Further actions on AI and security to be developed by the National Security Council and White House Chief of Staff.

2. Protecting Americans’ Privacy

  • Privacy-Preserving Techniques: Prioritize federal support for developing privacy-preserving AI techniques.

  • Research Coordination: Strengthen research and development of cryptographic tools to preserve privacy.

  • Federal Privacy Guidance: Evaluate and strengthen privacy guidance for federal agencies regarding the collection and use of commercial data.

  • Effectiveness Guidelines: Develop guidelines for evaluating privacy-preserving techniques in AI systems.

3. Advancing Equity and Civil Rights

  • Clear Guidance: Provide guidance to prevent AI algorithms from exacerbating discrimination in housing, federal benefits, and federal contracting.

  • Algorithmic Discrimination: DOJ and federal civil rights offices to coordinate on addressing algorithmic discrimination.

  • Criminal Justice Fairness: Develop best practices for AI use in the criminal justice system.

4. Supporting Consumers, Patients, and Students

  • Healthcare AI: Advance responsible AI use in healthcare and establish a safety program to address AI-related harms.

  • Educational Tools: Create resources for educators to deploy AI-enabled educational tools.

5. Supporting Workers

  • Best Practices for AI in Workplaces: Develop principles to mitigate job displacement, ensure fair labor standards, and protect workers' rights.

  • Labor-Market Impact Report: Study AI’s potential impacts on the labor market and identify federal support options for affected workers.

6. Promoting Innovation and Competition

  • AI Research Resource: Pilot the National AI Research Resource to support AI research and students.

  • Support for Small Developers: Provide technical assistance and resources for small businesses and encourage the Federal Trade Commission to promote fair competition.

  • Immigration Policies: Modernize visa criteria to attract skilled AI professionals.

7. Advancing American Leadership Abroad

  • International Collaboration: Expand bilateral and multilateral engagements to develop international AI frameworks and standards.

  • Global AI Standards: Collaborate with international partners to develop safe and trustworthy AI standards.

  • AI for Global Challenges: Promote responsible AI deployment to address global issues like sustainable development and critical infrastructure protection.

8. Responsible Government Use of AI

  • Agency Guidance: Issue clear standards for federal agencies' AI use to protect rights and safety.

  • AI Product Procurement: Help agencies acquire AI products efficiently.

  • AI Talent Surge: Accelerate the hiring of AI professionals and provide AI training for federal employees.

Conclusion

This comprehensive Executive Order aims to ensure that AI development and deployment in the U.S. are safe, secure, and aligned with democratic values. It emphasizes robust standards, privacy protection, equity, innovation, international cooperation, and responsible government use of AI. More details and ongoing updates can be found on AI.gov.