The United States government has taken another step toward limiting the use of artificial intelligence by enacting a policy that requires federal agencies to be upfront about their AI use.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued the new AI policy on Thursday, requiring federal agencies to report on their AI use annually, particularly those affecting health and safety, as well as provide safeguards such as testing and public impact monitoring. The regulation addresses AI application in a variety of federal sectors, including health, education, employment, and housing.
The strategy intends to increase “federal accountability and oversight of AI,” according to a White House statement.
The White House is attempting to persuade the federal government, known for its ponderous bureaucracy rather than its ability to adopt cutting-edge technology, to keep up with advancements in the field of artificial intelligence.
Biden unveils AI policies
The new OMB policy also requires federal agencies to form AI governance committees to coordinate and develop guidelines for the usage of AI technologies across their respective agencies. According to the White House, the Departments of Defense, Housing and Urban Development, State, and Veterans Affairs have already established governance boards. The Biden administration intends to hire 100 AI professionals across agencies by this summer.
The White House will also require federal departments to provide a list of their AI systems online, as well as an evaluation of the risks those systems may pose and how they intend to control them, Harris said. That list will have to be publicized and updated every year.