White House Takes Bold Steps to Mitigate AI Risks, Prioritizing Safety and Consumer Protection

In a landmark move, U.S. President Joe Biden is set to unveil an executive order addressing the broad spectrum of challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). The executive order, slated for release on Monday, is designed to promote safety while safeguarding the interests of consumers, workers, and minority groups from potential AI-related risks.

AI technology, with its rapid advancements and growing popularity, has been operating within a relatively unregulated environment. Notably, tech giants like OpenAI, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms previously agreed to voluntary measures, including watermarking AI-generated content, in an effort to enhance the technology's safety.

However, the forthcoming executive order takes a more comprehensive approach. It mandates that developers of AI systems, especially those that present risks to U.S. national security, the economy, public health, or safety, must share the results of safety tests with the U.S. government, in adherence to the Defense Production Act, before making their AI solutions accessible to the public.

This executive order also empowers government agencies to establish standardized protocols for AI testing, including addressing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and cybersecurity risks.

To enhance transparency and content verification, the Commerce Department is tasked with developing guidelines for content authentication and watermarking for AI-generated items, ensuring government communications are clear and authentic.

Bruce Reed, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, hailed the executive order as the "strongest set of actions" any government has undertaken to bolster AI security. It encompasses diverse areas, including privacy, housing discrimination, and the challenges AI poses to employment.

In addition, the Group of Seven industrialized nations is on the cusp of reaching an accord on a code of conduct for companies engaged in advanced AI systems.

An official from the administration addressed concerns that Europe has taken a more assertive stance on AI regulation. They clarified that the executive order holds the weight of law and that congressional legislation remains pivotal for comprehensive AI governance. President Biden has called on Congress, specifically, to pass data privacy legislation.

Given the potential for AI to perpetuate bias and civil rights violations, the executive order seeks to provide guidance to landlords, federal benefits programs, and federal contractors to prevent the exacerbation of discrimination using AI algorithms.

The order also promotes the development of best practices to address potential harms AI may cause to the workforce, including job displacement, with an accompanying requirement for a report on labor market impacts.

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to participate in an AI global summit in the United Kingdom this week, where China will also be represented. The summit, hosted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reinforces the belief that governments are best equipped to tackle the risks associated with AI. These risks range from facilitating the development of chemical or biological weapons to spreading fear and, in extreme scenarios, escaping human control.

The forthcoming executive order underscores the U.S. commitment to embracing the benefits of AI while diligently mitigating associated risks, setting the stage for a safer and more secure AI landscape.