White House Unveils Guidelines for Safe, Secure, Responsible AI Use

Federal agencies must adhere to new standards when it comes to protecting rights and safety when it comes to artificial intelligence.

Announced by Vice President Kamala Harris, federal agencies are required to promote the safe, secure and responsible use of AI. These standards deliver on the inaugural government-wide policy from the White House Office of Management and Budget, aimed at mitigating AI risks while maximizing its benefits. 

The announcement builds on Harris’ November presentation at the AI Safety Summit in London where she laid out a vision for how AI will be used in the future to advance public interest and is a core component of President Biden’s landmark AI Executive Order.  

The first of the three new standards focuses on protecting rights and safety. Government agencies will now be required to verify any AI tools they use don’t endanger citizens’ rights and safety. 

“I’ll give you an example,” Harris told reporters in a press call. “If the Veterans Administration wants to use AI in VA hospitals to help doctors diagnose patients, they would first have to demonstrate that AI does not produce racially biased diagnoses.”

Transparency is the focus of the second requirement, ensuring everyone has the right to know when and how the government is using AI and that it’s being used responsibly. 

Related:Biden to Sign Executive Order on AI Regulation

“And we want to do it in a way that holds leaders accountable for the responsible use of AI. Transparency often, and we believe, should facilitate accountability,” Harris said.

Government agencies will now be mandated to annually disclose online the AI systems they are utilizing, along with an evaluation of potential risks posed by these systems and the measures in place to manage such risks.

The third requirement directs federal agencies to designate a chief AI officer to oversee all AI technologies used by each agency. 

“And this is to make sure that AI is used responsibly, understanding that we must have senior leaders across our government who are specifically tasked with overseeing AI adoption and use,” Harris said. 

Harris expressed her and President Biden's hope that these policies will set a precedent for global action.

President Biden’s Executive Order on Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence was issued last October and established new standards for AI safety and security.

This article was first published in IoT World Today's sister publication AI Business.