The Biden administration on Monday issued the first U.S. executive order on artificial-intelligence technology. The sweeping order will bring AI systems from the likes of
Microsoft,
Google and
Amazon
under the scrutiny of a range of government departments and steer the sector away from a path of self-regulation.
The order requires developers of the most powerful AI systems to share safety-test results and other critical information with the U.S. government. The standards for testing will be developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
The government will also develop guidance for labeling AI-generated content and establish an AI-enabled cybersecurity program.
The order represents a step change from previous voluntary pledges made by companies including
Amazon.com
(ticker: AMZN),
Microsoft
(MSFT), Google-parent
Alphabet
(GOOGL) and
Meta Platforms
(META) among others.
The new requirements on safety testing are only likely to apply to big tech companies’ next-generation AI systems, and not current versions, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing government aides.
“These are the most significant actions ever taken by any government to advance the field of AI safety,” the White House said in a statement.
It remains to be seen to what extent the order’s requirements can be enforced without further authority from Congress. Alongside the order, the Biden administration called on Congress to pass bipartisan data-privacy legislation related to AI.
The order is also part of an international race to establish AI regulation, with the European Union pushing forward its own draft rules around the sector and China having already adopted strict controls on the technology.
“The State Department, in collaboration, with the Commerce Department will lead an effort to establish robust international frameworks for harnessing AI’s benefits and managing its risks and ensuring safety,” the White House said.
Write to Adam Clark at [email protected]
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