Biden signs executive order 'to protect Americans' from AI risks

President Biden signed an executive order to legislate the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence. The initiative, which the White House described as a "landmark" order, will force AI developers to share the results of their tests with the government, while developing tools and tests to ensure that these programs are safe and trustworthy. In addition, it will establish standards to facilitate the detection of AI-generated content for users and impose measures to guarantee the privacy of citizens and promote equity and civil rights.

Biden ensures that the U.S. will lead in AI legislation

In a statement released by the White House, Biden highlights that this order aims 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."

The Biden-Harris tandem justified the need for this measure, claiming that "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."

To this end, the order includes measures such as the requirement 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."

Creation of an AI Safety Council

In addition, he announced the creation of an AI Safety Council within the measures implemented to control security risks: "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."

Another aspect of the order is protecting citizens against possible fraud from content generated by AI. "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," the statement announcing the order reads.

Defense of citizens' privacy

Americans' privacy is another priority highlighted in the statement. "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."

Furthermore, through the order, the Biden administration aims to prevent AI from increasing inequality or discrimination in society: "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."

The Biden administration emphasizes that this order is a fundamental step, but it is not the end. The president also called for the approval of bipartisan legislation: "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."