White House Issues Executive Order on AI

The White House on Oct. 30 issued an executive order on uses of artificial intelligence, as it aims “to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks” of AI.

To that end, 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,” according to a White House summary.

The executive order calls for new standards around AI safety and security. For example, it requires “developers of the most powerful AI systems share their safety test results and other critical information with the U.S. government.” It calls for development of “standards, tools, and tests to help ensure that AI systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy.”

The order introduces new measures intended to ensure AI does not put Americans’ privacy further at risk. It also lays out guidance that aims to ensure AI will help to advance equity and civil rights.

Because AI “raises the risk of injuring, misleading, or otherwise harming Americans,” the order call for consumer protections in this area. The Department of Health and Human Services, for example, “will also establish a safety program to receive reports of — and act to remedy – harms or unsafe healthcare practices involving AI.”

The order also looks to protect workers, calling for “principles and best practices . . . to prevent employers from undercompensating workers, evaluating job applications unfairly, or impinging on workers’ ability to organize.”

In addition, the order lays out steps the administration will take to promote “a fair, open, and competitive AI ecosystem” as well as initiatives America will undertake on the international front to establish global leadership in this area.

All these actions “are vital steps forward in the U.S.’s approach on safe, secure, and trustworthy AI,” the White House said.