U.S. President Joe Biden has taken a decisive step by issuing an executive order pertaining to artificial intelligence (AI). This order was formally signed on Monday, reflecting the urgency of the government’s engagement with AI technology. Jeff Zients, Biden’s chief of staff, emphasized the need for swift action, highlighting that traditional government pace may not suffice.
The executive order mandates that technology companies involved in AI projects establish regulations to safeguard consumers. An executive order empowers the president to instruct a U.S. government agency on an issue that has not yet been addressed by lawmakers. In this order, Biden invokes the Defense Production Act, allowing the government, under specific circumstances, to direct the activities of private enterprises. By taking this action, Biden is taking the lead ahead of the U.S. Congress. This executive order surpasses voluntary agreements made by companies like Meta and Google to enhance the safety of AI technology for the general population. The new order necessitates that technology companies seeking to apply AI in areas such as security, the economy, public health, and safety share information with the U.S. government.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology will spearhead the development of tests that new AI tools must pass before becoming accessible to the public. The U.S. government is also required to consider the utilization of AI in areas like cybersecurity, chemical oversight, radiation, and nuclear materials. The order instructs the Department of Commerce to establish guidelines for materials generated by AI, including the requirement for AI-generated content, such as photos or videos, to bear a mark or stamp indicating its AI origin, commonly referred to as a watermark.
The order seeks to address concerns that AI may disproportionately benefit certain individuals, mandating that any use of AI technology adhere to civil rights guidelines designed to prevent discrimination in hiring, housing, medical treatment, and criminal sentencing. In response to violations of civil rights related to AI technology, Biden has declared his intent to instruct the Department of Justice to file charges. The order extends to the application of AI in educational institutions, among students, and within businesses. It also stipulates that companies desiring to employ AI tools must consider both the potential harms and benefits of AI for workers.
Biden’s advisors laud this order as “the strongest set of actions” taken by any government to ensure AI security. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed described it as an “aggressive strategy.” Additionally, the President intends to urge U.S. lawmakers to advocate for more robust data privacy protections.
Biden aims to keep the U.S. government at the forefront of AI technology, contrasting it with the lag seen when social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram gained popularity. He expressed concerns about AI’s capacity to produce deceptive images, sounds, and videos that can negatively impact self-perception, propagate false information, and enable criminal activities. Biden cited an example where AI can recreate a person’s voice, allowing criminals to use it for misleading calls to friends or family. However, he also recognizes the potential for AI to address medical issues and enhance government services, emphasizing the dual nature of this technology. Biden commended Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his leadership on this issue.
