White House presses Government AI use with eye on security, guardrails

The directive is the latest move by U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration to address AI as Congress’ efforts to regulate the emerging technology have stalled. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The Biden administration on Thursday (October 24, 2024) unveiled plans to push artificial intelligence across the Federal Government for national security while saying its adoption must still reflect values such as privacy and civil rights.

In a memo, the White House directed U.S. agencies “to improve the security and diversity of chip supply chains … with AI in mind.” It also prioritizes the collection of information on other countries’ operations against the U.S. AI sector and passing that intelligence along quickly to AI developers to help keep their products secure.

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But such efforts must also protect human rights and democratic values, it added.

The directive is the latest move by U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration to address AI as Congress’ efforts to regulate the emerging technology have stalled.

Next month, it will convene a global safety summit in San Francisco. Mr. Biden last year signed an executive order aimed at limiting the risks that AI poses to consumers, workers, minority groups and national security.

Generative AI can create text, photos and videos in response to open-ended prompts, inspiring both excitement over its potential as well as fears that its could be misused and potentially overpower humans with catastrophic effects.

The rapidly evolving technology has prompted governments worldwide to seek to regulate the AI industry, which is led by tech giants such as Microsoft-backed OpenAI, Alphabet’s Google and Amazon, and scores of start-ups.

While Thursday’s (October 24, 2024) memo pressed Government use, it also requires U.S. agencies “to monitor, assess, and mitigate AI risks related to invasions of privacy, bias and discrimination, the safety of individuals and groups, and other human rights abuses.”

The directive also calls for a framework for Washington to work with allies to ensure AI “is developed and used in ways that adhere to international law while protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.”