The accompanying order states that while the government should be hesitant to regulate the functioning of AI models in the private market, there is an obligation in the context of federal procurement not to procure models that sacrifice truthfulness and accuracy in the ideological agenda.” Image: Tada Images/Shutterstock.com
By: FedWeek StaffThe broad White House plan of action on artificial intelligence includes further encouragement for federal agencies to adopt it, but the executive order that follows focuses on “preventing AI in federal awakening.”
The Action Plan is a follow-up to previous executive orders, addressing topics such as accelerating AI innovation, faster permitting processes, and building AI infrastructure, export and international relations considerations. Using a language similar to the directive that dates back to the Biden administration, the government is promoting AI as a tool that “serves the public with much greater efficiency and effectiveness.”
“In use cases, the slow and often manual acceleration of internal processes, streamlining public interactions, and many other transformative use of AI will help provide a highly responsive government that Americans expect and deserve,” he said.
The recommended general policies include formalizing the main AI Officer Council as the main venue for interagency coordination and cooperation on AI adoption. Create an AI Procurement Toolbox to ensure maximum uniformity across federal companies. Start a program that quickly transfers advanced AI capabilities and use cases across institutions.
Recommended HR-related policies include the creation of a “Technology Exchange Program designed to allow rapid details of federal staff to other agencies that require special AI talent.” and to the fullest extent possible institutions can “require that all employees who can benefit from access to the frontier language model will have access to such tools and are properly trained.”
The accompanying order states that while the government should be hesitant to regulate the functioning of AI models in the private market, there is an obligation in the context of federal procurement not to procure models that sacrifice truthfulness and accuracy in the ideological agenda.”
“Instructing agencies to only source models that prioritize historical accuracy, scientific research, and objectivity, acknowledge uncertainty when reliable information is incomplete or inconsistent, and “deliberately not encode partisan or ideological judgments” unless these judgments are encouraged or readily accessible by the end user.”
Additionally, a procurement agreement must include conditions that will hold the vendor liable for certain costs if the contract ends due to a violation of compliance.
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