US Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking at the UK AI Safety Summit, revealed the Biden administration’s plan to implement six new AI initiatives. This comes shortly after President Joe Biden issued an executive order assigning federal agencies the responsibility of ensuring the ethical development of AI technology. The initiatives include the establishment of the United States AI Safety Institute (US AISI), the introduction of preliminary policy guidance concerning the federal government’s use of AI, and a commitment to ethically deploying AI in military applications.
Harris detailed that the White House, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, would create the United States AI Safety Institute (US AISI) within NIST. The institute’s main responsibility would involve developing and disseminating guidelines, benchmark tests, best practices, and other materials for assessing potentially hazardous AI systems.
The US AISI will offer technical guidance to legislators and law enforcement on a range of AI-related matters, such as recognizing generated content, verifying live-recorded content, minimizing AI-driven discrimination, and ensuring transparency in AI usage.
In her address, Vice President Harris stressed President Biden’s belief that leaders in various sectors, including government, civil society, and the private industry, have a moral duty to ensure the responsible and beneficial evolution of AI while safeguarding the public against potential threats.
Harris underscored that while AI offers significant advantages, it also holds the potential to inflict substantial harm, from AI-supported cyberattacks to AI-generated bioweapons. The summit focused on the threats posed by generative AI systems.
Moreover, Harris disclosed a Political Declaration on the Responsible Use of AI and Autonomy, endorsed by 30 countries. A virtual hackathon will focus on developing AI models to counteract phone and internet scams targeting the elderly.
To manage the wide-ranging AI risks, Harris emphasized the need to address dangers impacting humanity, individuals, communities, institutions, and vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring AI safety.
Harris also noted the significance of legislation in enhancing AI safety without limiting innovation to confront these challenges effectively.
