The White House has unveiled a major policy update that marks an important step in the fight to ensure safe AI in all states, following numerous other policy adjustments and introductions in recent months.
The policya response to President Biden’s directive, aims to manage the risks associated with AI while allowing federal agencies to capitalize on its potential by mandating the appointment of a new type of C-suite executive.
Central to the policy, unveiled by US Vice President Kamala Harris, is the appointment of Chief AI Officers within each federal agency. These officers will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of AI initiatives.
Chief AI Officers for all agencies
Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) will assess the impact of AI on various aspects, including safety, security, civil rights and market competition.
The policy calls for greater transparency, requiring agencies to publicly disclose their AI use cases and any waivers granted. They have until December 1, 2024 to correct any non-compliant AI use, underscoring the White House’s commitment to accountability and public trust.
The official announcement is an example of some of these safeguards, including allowing travelers to opt out of TSA facial recognition without affecting their place in line, and ensuring human oversight of critical decisions at the areas of fraud detection and healthcare.
CAIOs, who should have significant expertise in this area, will have the authority to conduct assessments, monitor and ensure compliance with safety standards.
This marks the first government-wide policy from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to limit the risks of artificial intelligence and could be a sign of much more to come, both in the US and globally.
Both the White House and governments worldwide have made significant progress on AI policies to protect both data and citizens, and the latest US policy sets a precedent for other agencies worldwide.