To enhance research, development, and deployment of responsible artificial intelligence, the White House this week announced new initiatives to address AI-related national security concerns and individuals’ privacy and safety rights.
RFIs on Mitigating AI Risks and Automated Worker Surveillance and Management
Among the new efforts, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has released a Request for Information (RFI) to seek input on national priorities for mitigating AI risks, inquiring what standards, regulations, investments, and improved trust and safety practices are needed to ensure that AI systems are designed, developed, and deployed in a manner that protects people’s rights and safety.
The RFI supports the Administration’s efforts to advance a cohesive and comprehensive strategy to manage AI risks and harness AI opportunities, the White House reports. It also complements work happening across the federal government to engage the public on critical AI issues.
To protect workers' rights, earlier this month, the OSTP issued another RFI to learn more about the automated tools used by employers to surveil, monitor, evaluate, and manage workers. That RFI inquires what guidelines, standards, or best practices might inform the design of automated worker surveillance and management systems.
“AI is one of the most powerful technologies of our time, with broad applications,” according to the White House statement. “President Biden has been clear that in order to seize the opportunities AI presents, we must first manage its risks.”
In a statement, the Biden-Harris Administration highlighted several actions underway to promote responsible AI innovation, including a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and related executive actions, active work to address the national security concerns raised by AI, an implementation plan for a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource released by the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force, and investments and actions announced in May 2023.
Additionally, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced this year the launch of a Trustworthy & Responsible Artificial Intelligence Resource Center (AIRC) to serve as a repository for current federal guidance on AI. The resource offers stakeholders easy access to previously issued materials, facilitating the creation of responsible AI systems by both public and private entities. It also supports and operationalizes the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0) and accompanying Playbook.
Recent efforts to support AI include:
Read the full White House statement, issued on May 23, 2023.
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