The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued a Request for Information (RFI). This plan seeks public input to support carrying out the responsibilities outlined in the recent Executive Order on the safe and trustworthy development and use of artificial intelligence. The deadline for responses is February 2, 2024..
President Biden’s executive order represents a comprehensive approach to managing the burgeoning risks and opportunities presented by AI. It mandates the development of new standards for AI safety and security and highlights the critical need to protect Americans’ privacy, promote equity and civil rights, and ensure consumer and worker protections. The guidance covers a variety of aspects, including developing standards, tools and tests to ensure the safety, security and reliability of AI systems, and establishing a robust framework for preventing AI-based fraud and fraud.
NIST’s RFI requests information on several key areas, including establishing AI red teams, managing generative AI risk, minimizing synthetic content risk, and forming responsible global technology standards for AI development. These responses will support NIST’s efforts to produce various guidance in accordance with the Executive Order. This includes evaluating AI technologies, promoting consensus-based standards, and providing an environment for testing AI systems.
The Biden administration’s focus on AI also includes setting guidelines for testing and securing AI systems. Generative AI, which can generate text, photos and videos, has raised concerns about its impact on jobs, elections and the balance of power between humans and AI. The executive order directs the agency to set standards for AI testing and address associated chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and cybersecurity risks. NIST plays a central role in establishing these standards and guidelines that are critical to AI risk assessment and management.
In addition to AI safety and security, the executive order includes a variety of other aspects. It addresses the need to protect Americans’ privacy in the age of AI, mitigate algorithmic discrimination and bias in criminal justice, health care, and housing, and leverage AI for consumer benefit. We are also focused on adapting America’s workforce and workplaces to the changing environment brought about by AI, fostering innovation and competition in AI, and establishing the United States as a global leader in the responsible development and use of AI. These initiatives include working with international partners to develop secure, interoperable AI standards and ensure responsible government AI deployment.
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