Monday, October 30, 2023

"Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris on the Administration’s Commitment to Advancing the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence"


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 AI is all around us.  Much of it is making our lives better. And AI is helping the National Weather Service predict weather events, helping Webb tech — the Webb — Webb Tel- — the Webb Telescope manage half a million miles of galaxies away — billions of light-years away. I found out when I was turning on my phone and saw that — I thought, “my God, what is this?  Science fiction.”  (Laughter.)  No, I’m serious.  You — didn’t you have the same thought when you saw it?  (Laughter.) AI is helping millions of commuters find the shortest route home as well.  (Laughter.)  But, you know, in some cases, AI is making life wor- — worse.  For example, using teenagers’ personal data to figure out what will keep them glued to their device, AI makes social media more addictive.  It’s causing what our Surgeon General calls a “profound risk of harm” to their mental health and well-being. Over the past years, Kamala and I have met with a range of experts, many of whom are here today — and I thank you for coming here today — on the risks and the incredible opportunities of AI. One thing is clear: To realize the promise of AI and avoid the risks, we need to govern this technology, not — and there’s no other way around it, in my view.  It must be governed.  (President Biden Remarks on AI Bill of Rights)
On 4 October 2023 the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a proposed “
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Blueprint for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill of Rights: Making Automated Systems Work for the American People
.” On 30 October 2022, the President and Vice Present announced the signing of an Executive Order that implements at least the spirit of that Blueprint. ("Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris on the Administration’s Commitment to Advancing the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence")

"First, the executive order is about AI safety and security." (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris). Based on the authority the President's advisors read into the Deference Production Act, the Executive Order will require substantial testing and administrative supervision of AI programs. "That means companies must tell the government about the large-scale AI systems they’re developing and share rigorous independent test results to prove they pose no national security or safety risk to the American people." (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris). These include protocols for chemical, biological, or nuclear risks testing and standards. The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, will be tasked with implementation and administration.

"Second, the order is about making sure AI systems can earn the American people’s trust and people’s trust around the world." (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris). The essence of the anti-deception provisions will direct the Department of Commerce to develop standards to watermark and clearly label AI-generated content. 

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"Third, this executive order is about protecting your fundamental rights to — like privacy.  . . With this executive order, my administration is going to help develop — develop leading-edge technology to make those protections as strong as possible."  (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris).The executive order will also develop protocols for protection against bias in AI programs.  The nature and extent of these standards is less clear but involves input from a range of individuals representing all sorts of identity groups. The teeth for this program will be enhanced authority for the Justice Department "and the federal Civil Rights offices will investigate and prosecute AI-related civil rights violations." (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris). One assumes that the elaboration of AI bias criminality will also be developed.

"A fourth thing this order does: It will ensure that emerging technology works for consumers and for workers." (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris). Programs will be developed to prevent worker exploitation by AI programs, especially with respect to wages.  In addition a comprehensive report on the potential impact of AI on the labor market has been commissioned. It is likely that the Labor Department will be tasked to "support workers in every industry by defining their rights and defending them — to a fair wage, to organize, and as these other — more technologies emerge." (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris).

"And, finally, we’re going to make sure America leads the world in innovation and attracts the top talent to stay at the cutting edge. . . . And we’ll continue to work closely with allies and partners, including the United Nations, the G7 — and the G7, which just set out the first-ever international code of conduct to safely guide AI development." (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris).

 The President understands that a chunk of this ambitious program lies largely beyond the constitutional limits of presidential authority. "Look, let me be clear: This executive order represents bold action, but we still need — we still need Congress to act.  We need Congress to act."  (Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris). While the President's focus was on the curation of markets for data (focusing in the public remarks on an easy target--the collection of data from children) it is clear that a substantial legislative effort will be required to develop the system of administrative supervision technical standards, and normative boundaries envisioned  in the remarks. 

The remaining challenges are substantial. I note two: (1) the ability to coordinate policy and rule making among these administrative departments (Defense, Commerce, Labor; Justice, Homeland Security) not known for their willingness to expend much energy on coordination, especially where jurisdictional boundaries may be in play; (2) the coordination (normative and administrative) with emerging regulatory systems coming out of the E.U.; (3) all of this regulation will take a substantial amount of time to draft and pass, and then to implement--by that time it is likely that AI technologies may well have obsoleted the efforts to manage AI.  

As for clues about the form of the regulatory project: it is likely that some clues about administrative and legislative pathways may be gleaned from the Blueprint for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill of Rights. What is clear, though, is that in "the past year, perhaps the only thing that has advanced as quickly as artificial intelligence is worry about artificial intelligence." (The Who, Where, and How of Regulating AI).

The text of the Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris on the Administration’s Commitment to Advancing the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence follows below along with the White House's FACT SHEET on the Executive Order.

 

Remarks by President Biden and Vice President Harris on the Administration’s Commitment to Advancing the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence

East Room

2:45 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Please have a seat.

To our president, Joe Biden; members of Congress; members of our administration; and our private sector and civil society partners:

As leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector, I believe we have a moral, ethical, and societal duty to make sure that AI is adopted and advanced in a way that protects the public from potential harm and ensures that everyone is able to enjoy its benefits.   

Since we took office, President Biden and I have worked to uphold that duty.

Before generative AI captured global attention, President Biden and I convened leaders from across our country, from computer scientists to civil rights leaders to legal scholars and business leaders, all to help make sure the benefits of AI are shared equitably and to address predictable threats, such as algorithmic discrimination, data privacy violations, and deep fakes. 

We named it the “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.” 

After which, President Biden and I had extensive engagement with the leading AI companies to help ensure the private sector commits to the principles in the blueprint and to establish a minimum baseline of responsible AI practices.  

We intend that the actions we are taking domestically will serve as a model for international action, understanding that AI developed in one nation can impact the lives and livelihoods of billions of people around the world. 

Fundamentally, it is our belief that technology with global impact requires global action. 

Tomorrow, I will travel to the United Kingdom to represent our nation at the Global Summit on AI Safety.  There, we will work with our allies and our partners to apply existing international rules and norms with a purpose to promote global order and stability — and, where necessary, to build support for additional rules and norms that meet this moment. 

Let us be clear: When it comes to AI, America is a global leader.  It is American companies that lead the world in AI innovation.  It is America that can catalyze global action and build global consensus in a way that no other country can. 

And under President Joe Biden, it is America that will continue to lead on AI. 

And there are many ways to define the leadership of our president, Joe Biden — (the President raises his eyebrows) — as even a quick review of his most recent  — (laughter) — as even a quick review of his most recent victories makes clear. 

From creating technology innovation hubs in 31 communities across our nation — (applause); to expanding America’s semiconductor industry — (applause); to making the largest investment ever in climate in America’s history.

So, just a few points to say that President Biden is a leader with a vision for our future. 

He has the ambition to meet the challenges of the moment here and around the globe.  And he has the courage and skill to lead us forward, including on AI. 

And with that, it is my great honor and privilege to introduce our president, Joe Biden.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Please. 

I’m going to remind you of that.  I’m teasing.  (Laughs.) 

Thank you, Kamala, for that introduction and for your leadership on this issue. 

Before I begin, I want to explain why I was delayed a few minutes.  I have just spoken with President Fein of the United Auto Workers.  And let me say a few words about the UAW and the Big Three Automakers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.  They have reached a historic agreement and a hard-fought fai- — agreement that was really battled for a while.  But it was all done in good faith.    

And these record agreements reward auto workers who gave up much to keep the industry working and going during the financial crisis more than a decade ago.  These agreements ensure the iconic Big Three can still lead the world in quality and innovation. 

Due to the commitment and solidarity of the UAW workers willing to exercise their right — their right to collectively bargain, they’ve won a record contract with over — over a 30 percent increase in wages, greater retirement security, and more paid leave, and a commitment by the Big Three to create more full-time, middle-class jobs and invest tens of billions more dollars in plants and factories, building an automobiles future here in America.  (Applause.)

I applaud — I applaud the UAW and the leaders of the automobile companies for agreeing that all the workers on strike and all those who were walking the picket lines on behalf of the UAW brothers and sisters can come back to work immediately even before the vote is taken.  

Ultimately, the final word on this contract will be for the UAW memberships themselves in the days and coming weeks as they vote.   

But here’s what I know and what I shared with the United Auto Workers I met in the picket line: I’ve always believed that the middle class built America and that unions built the middle class.  And that’s especially the case for United Auto Workers who built the iconic automobile industry. 

For too long, in my view, the economy hasn’t worked for working people and for middle-class folks. 

Because when they do well, by the way, everybody does well. 

That’s why I came into office determined to build an economy — to build from the middle out and the bottom up, instead of the top down. 

It’s a critical piece of worker power. 

And it’s showing how collective bargaining works by providing workers a seat at the table to honor their contributions to their employees’ — their employer’s success by securing pay and benefits they can raise a family on and retire with dignity and respect.  It’s showing how collective bargaining works for companies, how a strong relationship between workers and management can mean record profits leading to record contracts. 

We’re also seeing it across the board for the UAW workers — we’re seeing this everywhere — rail workers, port workers, Teamsters, writers, health workers, and workers on other industries organizing and — by collective bargaining. 

Folks, look, today’s historic agreement is yet another piece of good economic news showing something I’ve always believed: Worker power — worker power is critical to building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, and so is economic growth. 

We just learned that our economy grew 4.9 percent in the last quarter — the highest growth in two years — just as inflation continues to come down. 

We have more to do, but we’re finally beginning to build an economy that works for working people, for the middle class, for the entire company — the — the entire country, including the companies.  

Because when we do that, the poor have a ladder up, the middle class does well, and the wealthy still do very well.  We all do well. 

And that brings me to today’s announcement. 

Folks, I want to thank Kamala again for the work she’s done through her entire career to protect people from harm and to promote responsible innovation.  She’s traveling to the United Kingdom, as she pointed out, this week, where she’ll highlight how America is setting the standard for AI safety, security, and trust. 

I want to thank all of you for joining us here.  Some of you — members of my Cabinet, members of Congress — including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has been a real leader on this.  Chuck, thank you, pal.  You’ve — and state and Sen- — and local officials; leaders in technology, business, labor, academia, civil rights, and civil society. 

And we’ll see more technol- — well, you know, I know you know this, but we’re going to see more technological change in the next 10 — maybe the next 5 years than we’ve seen in the last 50 years, and that’s a fact.  And it’s the most consequential technology of our time.  Artificial intelligence is accelerating that change.  It’s going to accelerate it at warp speed. 

AI is all around us.  Much of it is making our lives better. 

And AI is helping the National Weather Service predict weather events, helping Webb tech — the Webb — Webb Tel- — the Webb Telescope manage half a million miles of galaxies away — billions of light-years away.

I found out when I was turning on my phone and saw that — I thought, “my God, what is this?  Science fiction.”  (Laughter.)  No, I’m serious.  You — didn’t you have the same thought when you saw it?  (Laughter.) 

AI is helping millions of commuters find the shortest route home as well.  (Laughter.)  

But, you know, in some cases, AI is making life wor- — worse.  For example, using teenagers’ personal data to figure out what will keep them glued to their device, AI makes social media more addictive.  It’s causing what our Surgeon General calls a “profound risk of harm” to their mental health and well-being. 

Over the past years, Kamala and I have met with a range of experts, many of whom are here today — and I thank you for coming here today — on the risks and the incredible opportunities of AI. 

One thing is clear: To realize the promise of AI and avoid the risks, we need to govern this technology, not — and there’s no other way around it, in my view.  It must be governed.   

That’s why we’re here today. 

I’m about to sign an executive order.  An executive order that is the most significant action any government anywhere in the world has ever taken on AI safety, security, and trust. 

This order builds on the critical steps we’ve already taken to ensuring the AI Bill of Rights to bring together leading AI companies who agreed to voluntarily make certain — certain commitments to make sure AI is safe and a system is secure. 

With today’s executive order I’ll soon be signing, I’m determined to do everything in my power to promote and demand responsible innovation. 

First, the executive order is about AI safety and security.  Today, I am invoking what’s called the Defense Production Act that federal government uses in the most urgent of moments, like mobilizing the nation during — a nation in time of war or developing COVID vaccines during the pandemic. 

This executive order will use the same authority to make companies prove — prove that their most powerful systems are safe before allowing them to be used.  I want to — before allowing them to be used.  That means companies must tell the government about the large-scale AI systems they’re developing and share rigorous independent test results to prove they pose no national security or safety risk to the American people. 

At the same time, I will direct the Department of Energy to make sure AI systems don’t pose chemical, biological, or nuclear risks at the same time. 

Look, in the wrong hands, AI can make it easier to — for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in the software that makes our — our society run. 

That’s why I’m directing the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, both of them, to develop game-changing cyber protections that will make our computers and our critical infrastructure more secure than it is today.  And that’s why my administration has taken decisive steps to prevent cutting-edge — these cutting-edge AI chips from being used to undermine our national security, which is possible.

Second, the order is about making sure AI systems can earn the American people’s trust and people’s trust around the world.
All too often, already — it’s already happening that AI devices are being used to deceive people. 

Deep fakes use AI-generated audio and video to smear reputations, speak — spread fake news, and commit fraud. 

With AI, fraudsters can take a three-second — and you all know this — three-second recording of your voice — I’ve watched one of me on a couple — (laughter).  I said, “When the hell did I say that?”  (Laughter.) 

But all kidding aside, three-second recording of your voice and generate an impersonation good enough to fool — you know, I was going to say your family — fool you.  (Laughter.)  I swear to God.  Take a look at it.  It’s mind-blowing. 

And they can use it to scam loved ones into sending money because they think you’re in trouble.  That’s wrong.  Everyone has a right to know when audio they’re hearing or video they’re watching is generated or altered by AI.  

Thanks to this order, the Department of Commerce is going to help develop standards to watermark and clearly label AI-generated content.  Just say this — that’s how it was generated: AI-generated.  That — that way, you can tell whether it’s real and it’s not.  And when your loved ones hear your voice on the phone, they’ll know it’s really you. 

Trust matters.  Trust matters.

Third, this executive order is about protecting your fundamental rights to — like privacy.  Without safeguards, AI can put your privacy at greater risk.  That’s why I’ve called for new protections on your personal data. 

With this executive order, my administration is going to help develop — develop leading-edge technology to make those protections as strong as possible. 

Look, privacy is not the only right at risk.  Without the right safeguards in place, AI can lead to discrimination, bias, and other abuses. 

That’s why, with the help of civil rights leaders here today, this order directs several actions to protect Americans’ civil rights and their safety.  That means clear guidance for landlords and federal contractors and federal programs to prevent the bias in AI tools that can be used to make decisions on whether or not someone qualifies for housing or benefits or a job. 

We’ll develop the best practices for AI use to ensure fairness in the criminal justice system as well. 

And, when appropriate, the Justice Department and the federal Civil Rights offices will investigate and prosecute AI-related civil rights violations. 

A fourth thing this order does: It will ensure that emerging technology works for consumers and for workers.  For example, to protect patients, we’ll use AI to develop cancer drugs that work better for — and cost less.  We’ll also launch a safety program to make sure AI health systems do no harm. 

To protect workers, this order directs the government to help make sure AI isn’t used to shortchange workers.  I’ve also asked for a comprehensive report on the potential impact of AI on the labor market and how to help workers whose jobs have been disrupted. 

We’re going to support workers in every industry by defining their rights and defending them — to a fair wage, to organize, and as these other — more technologies emerge. 

And, finally, we’re going to make sure America leads the world in innovation and attracts the top talent to stay at the cutting edge.  And because AI’s challenges and opportunities are global, we’re going to keep advancing American leadership globally. 

In meeting around — in meetings around the world, I’ve heard from leaders, and I’ve been going around the world a lot lately.  (Laughter.)  It’s good to be home.  (Laughter.)

And we’re looking — but leaders around the world, as they approach me — I mean it — in any country, they ask, “Is the United States going to show the way in AI?  Will the Un- — United States lead?”  I’m sure Kamala is going to hear this when she’s in the United Kingdom later this week. 

And we’ll continue to work closely with allies and partners, including the United Nations, the G7 — and the G7, which just set out the first-ever international code of conduct to safely guide AI development.

Look, let me be clear: This executive order represents bold action, but we still need — we still need Congress to act.  We need Congress to act. 

I want to thank — I just want to thank Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer here.  Chuck, you’ve been — you’ve taken the reins on this issue like no one else could.  You’ve developed legislation to harness the power of AI while keeping Americans safe.  Tomorrow, I look forward to meeting with you and the bipartisan group that you’ve put together to bring down to the White House to underscore the need for congressional action. 

I’m going to continue to call on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting personal data on our kids and teenagers online; to ban — (applause) — to ban targeting advertising to children; to limit — (applause) — the personal data these collectors — these — these companies collect on us. 

Folks, let me close with this.  We face a genuine inflection point in history, one of those moments where the decisions we make in the very near term are going to set the course for the next decades.  And with the position we lead the world, the toughest challenges are the greatest opportunities. 

Look, there’s no greater change that I can think of in my life than AI presents as a potential: exploring the universe, fighting climate change, ending cancer as we know it, and so much more. 

As artificial intelligence expands the boundary of human possibility and tests the bounds of human understanding, this landmark executive order is a testament to what we stand for: safety, security, trust, openness, American leadership, and the undeniable rights endowed by our Creator that no creator — no creation can take away, proving once again that America’s strength is not just the power of its example [example of its power] but the example of its power [power of its example]. 

Look, I know we can meet this moment with hope and not fear because of all of you — and I mean it sincerely — because all of you here today, many of you are the originators of this technology.  And all across America, the people are focused on this. 

You’re the reason why — and I mean this sincerely — you’re the reason why I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s future. 

We just have to remember who in God’s name we are.  We’re the United States of America.  And there is nothing — nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.

So, God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.) 

Now, I’m going to go over and sign that.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  (Applause.)

The executive order, Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.

(The executive order is signed.)

Thank you.  (Applause.)

(The President departs the podium.)

Q    Mr. President, how concerned are you about the rise in antisemitism?

THE PRESIDENT:  Very concerned.

Q    Can you — and the mob at the Russian airport —

Q    Do you agree with Netanyahu?

Q    The mob at the Russian airport, Mr. President –- your response?

THE PRESIDENT:  Oh, I didn’t (inaudible) –- today?

Q    No, over the weekend.  Your response to the antisemitic mob at the Russian airport?

THE PRESIDENT:  (Inaudible.)

3:08 P.M. EDT

*       *       *

 

 

FACT SHEET: President Biden Issues Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence

Today, President Biden is issuing a landmark Executive Order to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The Executive Order establishes new standards for AI safety and security, protects Americans’ privacy, advances equity and civil rights, stands up for consumers and workers, promotes innovation and competition, advances American leadership around the world, and more.

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive strategy for responsible innovation, the Executive Order builds on previous actions the President has taken, including work that led to voluntary commitments from 15 leading companies to drive safe, secure, and trustworthy development of AI.

The Executive Order directs the following actions:

New Standards for AI Safety and Security

As AI’s capabilities grow, so do its implications for Americans’ safety and security. With this Executive Order, the President directs the most sweeping actions ever taken to protect Americans from the potential risks of AI systems:

  • Require that developers of the most powerful AI systems share their safety test results and other critical information with the U.S. government. In accordance with the Defense Production Act, the Order will require that companies developing any foundation model that poses a serious risk to national security, national economic security, or national public health and safety must notify the federal government when training the model, and must share the results of all red-team safety tests. These measures will ensure AI systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy before companies make them public. 
  • Develop standards, tools, and tests to help ensure that AI systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy. The National Institute of Standards and Technology will set the rigorous standards for extensive red-team testing to ensure safety before public release. The Department of Homeland Security will apply those standards to critical infrastructure sectors and establish the AI Safety and Security Board. The Departments of Energy and Homeland Security will also address AI systems’ threats to critical infrastructure, as well as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and cybersecurity risks. Together, these are the most significant actions ever taken by any government to advance the field of AI safety.
  • Protect against the risks of using AI to engineer dangerous biological materials by developing strong new standards for biological synthesis screening. Agencies that fund life-science projects will establish these standards as a condition of federal funding, creating powerful incentives to ensure appropriate screening and manage risks potentially made worse by AI.
  • Protect Americans from AI-enabled fraud and deception by establishing standards and best practices for detecting AI-generated content and authenticating official content. The Department of Commerce will develop guidance for content authentication and watermarking to clearly label AI-generated content. Federal agencies will use these tools to make it easy for Americans to know that the communications they receive from their government are authentic—and set an example for the private sector and governments around the world.
  • Establish an advanced cybersecurity program to develop AI tools to find and fix vulnerabilities in critical software, building on the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing AI Cyber Challenge. Together, these efforts will harness AI’s potentially game-changing cyber capabilities to make software and networks more secure.
  • Order the development of a National Security Memorandum that directs further actions on AI and security, to be developed by the National Security Council and White House Chief of Staff. This document will ensure that the United States military and intelligence community use AI safely, ethically, and effectively in their missions, and will direct actions to counter adversaries’ military use of AI.

Protecting Americans’ Privacy

Without safeguards, AI can put Americans’ privacy further at risk. AI not only makes it easier to extract, identify, and exploit personal data, but it also heightens incentives to do so because companies use data to train AI systems. To better protect Americans’ privacy, including from the risks posed by AI, the President calls on Congress to pass bipartisan data privacy legislation to protect all Americans, especially kids, and directs the following actions:

  • Protect Americans’ privacy by prioritizing federal support for accelerating the development and use of privacy-preserving techniques—including ones that use cutting-edge AI and that let AI systems be trained while preserving the privacy of the training data.  
  • Strengthen privacy-preserving research and technologies, such as cryptographic tools that preserve individuals’ privacy, by funding a Research Coordination Network to advance rapid breakthroughs and development. The National Science Foundation will also work with this network to promote the adoption of leading-edge privacy-preserving technologies by federal agencies.
  • Evaluate how agencies collect and use commercially available information—including information they procure from data brokers—and strengthen privacy guidance for federal agencies to account for AI risks. This work will focus in particular on commercially available information containing personally identifiable data.
  • Develop guidelines for federal agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of privacy-preserving techniques, including those used in AI systems. These guidelines will advance agency efforts to protect Americans’ data.

Advancing Equity and Civil Rights

Irresponsible uses of AI can lead to and deepen discrimination, bias, and other abuses in justice, healthcare, and housing. The Biden-Harris Administration has already taken action by publishing the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and issuing an Executive Order directing agencies to combat algorithmic discrimination, while enforcing existing authorities to protect people’s rights and safety. To ensure that AI advances equity and civil rights, the President directs the following additional actions:

  • Provide clear guidance to landlords, Federal benefits programs, and federal contractors to keep AI algorithms from being used to exacerbate discrimination.
  • Address algorithmic discrimination through training, technical assistance, and coordination between the Department of Justice and Federal civil rights offices on best practices for investigating and prosecuting civil rights violations related to AI.
  • Ensure fairness throughout the criminal justice system by developing best practices on the use of AI in sentencing, parole and probation, pretrial release and detention, risk assessments, surveillance, crime forecasting and predictive policing, and forensic analysis.

Standing Up for Consumers, Patients, and Students

AI can bring real benefits to consumers—for example, by making products better, cheaper, and more widely available. But AI also raises the risk of injuring, misleading, or otherwise harming Americans. To protect consumers while ensuring that AI can make Americans better off, the President directs the following actions:

  • Advance the responsible use of AI in healthcare and the development of affordable and life-saving drugs. The Department of Health and Human Services will also establish a safety program to receive reports of—and act to remedy – harms or unsafe healthcare practices involving AI. 
  • Shape AI’s potential to transform education by creating resources to support educators deploying AI-enabled educational tools, such as personalized tutoring in schools.

Supporting Workers

AI is changing America’s jobs and workplaces, offering both the promise of improved productivity but also the dangers of increased workplace surveillance, bias, and job displacement. To mitigate these risks, support workers’ ability to bargain collectively, and invest in workforce training and development that is accessible to all, the President directs the following actions:

  • Develop principles and best practices to mitigate the harms and maximize the benefits of AI for workers by addressing job displacement; labor standards; workplace equity, health, and safety; and data collection. These principles and best practices will benefit workers by providing guidance to prevent employers from undercompensating workers, evaluating job applications unfairly, or impinging on workers’ ability to organize.
  • Produce a report on AI’s potential labor-market impacts, and study and identify options for strengthening federal support for workers facing labor disruptions, including from AI.

Promoting Innovation and Competition

America already leads in AI innovation—more AI startups raised first-time capital in the United States last year than in the next seven countries combined. The Executive Order ensures that we continue to lead the way in innovation and competition through the following actions:

  • Catalyze AI research across the United States through a pilot of the National AI Research Resource—a tool that will provide AI researchers and students access to key AI resources and data—and expanded grants for AI research in vital areas like healthcare and climate change.
  • Promote a fair, open, and competitive AI ecosystem by providing small developers and entrepreneurs access to technical assistance and resources, helping small businesses commercialize AI breakthroughs, and encouraging the Federal Trade Commission to exercise its authorities.
  • Use existing authorities to expand the ability of highly skilled immigrants and nonimmigrants with expertise in critical areas to study, stay, and work in the United States by modernizing and streamlining visa criteria, interviews, and reviews.

Advancing American Leadership Abroad

AI’s challenges and opportunities are global. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue working with other nations to support safe, secure, and trustworthy deployment and use of AI worldwide. To that end, the President directs the following actions:

  • Expand bilateral, multilateral, and multistakeholder engagements to collaborate on AI. 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. In addition, this week, Vice President Harris will speak at the UK Summit on AI Safety, hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
  • Accelerate development and implementation of vital AI standards with international partners and in standards organizations, ensuring that the technology is safe, secure, trustworthy, and interoperable.
  • Promote the safe, responsible, and rights-affirming development and deployment of AI abroad to solve global challenges, such as advancing sustainable development and mitigating dangers to critical infrastructure.

Ensuring Responsible and Effective Government Use of AI

AI can help government deliver better results for the American people. It can expand agencies’ capacity to regulate, govern, and disburse benefits, and it can cut costs and enhance the security of government systems. However, use of AI can pose risks, such as discrimination and unsafe decisions. To ensure the responsible government deployment of AI and modernize federal AI infrastructure, the President directs the following actions:

  • Issue guidance for agencies’ use of AI, including clear standards to protect rights and safety, improve AI procurement, and strengthen AI deployment.  
  • Help agencies acquire specified AI products and services faster, more cheaply, and more effectively through more rapid and efficient contracting.
  • Accelerate the rapid hiring of AI professionals as part of a government-wide AI talent surge led by the Office of Personnel Management, U.S. Digital Service, U.S. Digital Corps, and Presidential Innovation Fellowship. Agencies will provide AI training for employees at all levels in relevant fields.

As we advance this agenda at home, the Administration will work with allies and partners abroad on a strong international framework to govern the development and use of AI. The Administration has already consulted widely on AI governance frameworks over the past several months—engaging with Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, and the UK. The actions taken today support and complement Japan’s leadership of the G-7 Hiroshima Process, the UK Summit on AI Safety, India’s leadership as Chair of the Global Partnership on AI, and ongoing discussions at the United Nations.

The actions that President Biden directed today are vital steps forward in the U.S.’s approach on safe, secure, and trustworthy AI. More action will be required, and the Administration will continue to work with Congress to pursue bipartisan legislation to help America lead the way in responsible innovation.

For more on the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to advance AI, and for opportunities to join the Federal AI workforce, visit AI.gov.

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