Biden issues America’s first AI executive order

President Biden signed a new executive order yesterday that represents the US government’s first action specifically targeting artificial intelligence.

The move, which builds on voluntary commitments the White House previously secured from leading AI companies, focuses on three main areas:

1. Safety and security: The order requires large AI firms to share safety test results with the US government, directs the Commerce Department to create guidance for authenticating and watermarking AI-generated content, and orders US agencies to evaluate potentially harmful AI-related health-care practices.
2. Innovation and competition: The order calls for changes in America’s visa process to encourage immigrants with expertise in AI to remain in the US. It also allocates funding and other resources for small US developers and entrepreneurs to commercialize AI, and encourages the FTC to promote competition in the industry.
3. Equity and civil rights: Landlords, federal benefits program managers, and federal contractors were given guidance “to keep AI algorithms from being used to exacerbate discrimination.” The order also calls for the DOJ and other agencies to be trained on best practices for investigating and prosecuting AI civil rights violations, as well as the use of AI in courtroom proceedings.

👀 Looking ahead… White House officials said the components of Biden’s new executive order will be implemented over the next 90 to 365 days, with the safety and security items facing the earliest deadlines.