The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has told government agencies that they must confirm by spring that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are “true” and do not support any particular “ideological doctrine.”
In “Fair AI Principles” memo Announced on December 11 and signed by OMB Director Russell Vought, it states that AI/ML used by federal agencies “must respond honestly to users' prompts for factual information and analysis” and “must be a neutral, nonpartisan tool that does not manipulate responses to favor ideological doctrine.” According to OMB, this requirement applies to AI/ML procured by the agency, regardless of how it is used.
Agencies have until March 11 to update their agency procurement policies to meet the requirements outlined by OMB. OMB said new contracts must include compliance with unbiased AI principles, and agencies should modify existing contracts whenever possible.
Federal agencies must also establish a method for agency employees to report systems that do not meet OMB requirements.
This memo provides guidance on: presidential order President Donald Trump signed the bill in July, directing government agencies to only use “unbiased AI” as part of his administration's “Woke AI” crackdown.
The order specifically focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles, which it said applied to AI would result in “suppression or distortion of factual information.” President Trump’s AI “emperor” David Sachs is also claimed The use of DEI AI models could lead to “algorithmic discrimination.”
The new memo requires agencies procuring AI to obtain “sufficient information” from AI developers to ensure their models comply with unbiased AI requirements. For AI sold through government resellers, OMB said developers must work with resellers to share information the agency needs for procurement.
Government agencies were also directed not to require vendors to disclose sensitive technical data, but instead to ask only for “sufficient information” necessary to determine the risk of noncompliance.
