The White House is seeking public input to develop a national strategy on artificial intelligence, including what standards and regulations are needed and whether AI will help or harm the economy.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on Tuesday issued a request for information on national priorities for AI covering a wide range of issues, from the benefits of AI to how to mitigate the risks of AI. In fact, RFI’s first question asks what specific measures, including standards and regulations, would be to ensure that AI is safely developed and deployed. Alongside the RFI, OSTP also updated the National AI R&D Strategic Plan, which outlines federal AI investments.
Forrester Research analyst Brandon Purcell said RFI is asking the right question amid the recent rise in AI popularity. New AI tools such as his ChatGPT from OpenAI have led to rapid adoption and implementation of the technology amid growing concerns over the generation of false and inaccurate information.
“The White House and government in general are just as committed to accelerating progress in AI as the private sector is,” Purcell said.
The White House seeks guidance on the future of AI
Purcell said the RFI is not yet available for public comment on Regulations.gov, but it will likely reveal just how heavy-handed the White House wants policy in terms of federal regulation.
Some of the questions the White House wants answered are:
- What are the main benefits of AI for the people of the United States?
- What are the potential harms and trade-offs of using AI across the economy?
- How can the federal government work with the private sector to ensure that procured AI systems include safeguards to protect people’s rights and safety?
- How will AI affect the global workforce across economies?
Regulation of AI is a hot topic globally. The European Union is developing regulatory measures like AI law. China, on the other hand, has its own rules for using AI. But Purcell doesn’t think proposing comprehensive AI regulation is the approach the U.S. will take in the long run.
“The EU was the first when it comes to comprehensive privacy regulations that come with GDPR. The US has not issued similar regulations, instead they are enforced at the state level,” Purcell said.
Purcell said the RFI will help companies understand the direction the White House might go in terms of future AI guidance and regulation. This is information that may be useful for his AI implementation at your company.
The announcement “tells the private sector that the White House is trying to resolve the situation and is emphasizing its responsibility to ensure fairness.” [and] “Therefore, when companies are implementing these systems, they also need to ensure that they are implementing them in a responsible manner,” he said.
Makenzie Holland is a news writer covering major technology and federal regulations. Before she joined TechTarget, she was a general reporter. wilmington star news crime and education reporter wabash plain dealer.
