Alert 05.25.23
Alert
06.06.23
One of the most advanced technologies of our time is the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), a field that currently operates with minimal regulation. U.S. government officials, however, are stepping up their interest in generative AI technology, including assessing the opportunities while cautioning about potential risks. Government agencies are also beginning to seek public comment on these issues, where we expect to see increased activity in the coming months.
For example, on May 23, the White House announced that it would be taking additional steps to enhance AI research, development and deployment in the United States, building on its May 4 announcement advancing the AI Bill of Rights.
The recent announcement outlined three key steps the government is pursuing to promote AI: publishing an updated National Artificial Intelligence R&D Strategic Plan, soliciting public feedback on advancing AI research, and releasing a Department of Education report on the benefits and risks of AI in education. This alert focuses on the first two announcements.
The National AI R&D Roadmap
In the White House announcement, the Office of Science Technology and Policy (OSTP) released its update to the National AI R&D Strategic Plan. The driving force of this plan is to balance innovation with safety—to “manage the risks” of AI so that it may “seize the opportunities.” The 2023 document includes eight strategies from the 2019 plan and adds a ninth focus on international collaboration. The plan was updated in accordance with feedback from over 60 individuals and organizations representing research and civil society invested in responsible AI development. The majority of these responses emphasized the need for the national plan to address the ethical, legal and societal implications of AI (such as AI’s potential impact on civil rights) and the need to address the safety and security of AI systems.
The strategies outlined in the roadmap are:
The FY24 Budget Request dedicated portions of the President’s budget specifically to AI development and deployment. The OSTP is calling on the agencies who were allocated AI funding to prioritize R&D to make AI trustworthy, equitable and both rights- and privacy-preserving while carrying out their missions.
Request for Information—Opportunities for Industry to Provide Feedback
The May 23 announcement advertised a new opportunity for public comments on a Request for Information (RFI) from the Office of Science and Technology Policy that will help chart the course of the National AI Strategy. The National AI Strategy will provide a “whole-of-society approach to AI.” The comments requested will provide information on the current uses of AI as well as project future uses of AI to empower the United States to be as responsive as possible to the latest opportunities and challenges posed by the evolving technology.
The RFI is designed to capture the range of risks and benefits in AI programs for the ultimate product of an effective National AI Strategy. The questions span various issues, from protecting rights, safety and national security, to advancing equity, bolstering democracy, promoting economic growth and innovating public services. For example, the OSTP is looking to how AI can be regulated to ensure that systems are designed and developed with safety in mind as well as how spurring AI development could help address equity or maximize national security. In order for the Office to have a complete picture of the uses of AI, the OSTP highlighted that they will review the results not only of this RFI, but of the ongoing opportunities for public engagement across the federal government, generating information about AI deployment nationwide.
Industry has significant opportunities to weigh in on AI regulation by submitting comments to the executive branch offices. This latest RFI is one in a series of agency announcements requesting feedback or guidance from AI stakeholders. Other announcements include:
Pillsbury is closely monitoring AI-related legislative and regulatory efforts. Our AI team helps startups, global corporations and government agencies navigate the landscape impacted by emerging developments in AI. For insights on these rapidly evolving topics, please visit our Artificial Intelligence practice page.