The White House in Washington, D.C. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM
The Biden administration will require new standards for all federal agencies to follow when using artificial intelligence to help ensure the responsible use of AI in government and provide greater transparency for the public, Vice President Kamala Harris said recently.
"I believe that all leaders from government, civil society and the private sector have a moral, ethical and societal duty to make sure that artificial intelligence is adopted and advanced in a way that protects the public from potential harm, while ensuring everyone is able to enjoy its full benefit," Harris said.
Under the administration's new requirements, federal agencies must verify that their use of AI tools do not endanger the rights and safety of the public.
For example, "if the Veterans Administration wants to use AI in VA hospitals to help doctors diagnose patients, they would first have to demonstrate that AI does not produce racially biased diagnoses," Harris said.
Agencies must also publish an annual list of their AI systems, an assessment of the risks those systems may pose and how the risks are being managed. In addition, agencies must designate a chief AI officer to oversee their AI usage.
"These three new requirements have been shaped in consultation with leaders from across the public and private sectors, from computer scientists to civil rights leaders, to legal scholars, and business leaders," Harris said. "President Biden and I intend that these domestic policies will serve as a model for global action."
Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young said the OMB "will be taking further action later this year to address federal procurement of AI."
"Every day, federal agencies make decisions that have profound impacts on the lives of Americans," Young said.
"When these agencies use AI, they have a distinct responsibility to manage its risks, and the public deserves confidence that the federal government will use the technology responsibly," Young added. "When used and overseen responsibly, AI can help agencies to reduce wait times for critical government services, improve accuracy and expand access to essential public services."
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