Joe Biden unveils AI order aiming to ‘lead the way’ in global efforts to manage tech risks
- The action relies on the Cold War-era Defence Production Act, giving the government certain control over companies when national security is at stake
- The White House said the order would ‘ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks’ of artificial intelligence
US President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Monday on regulating artificial intelligence (AI), aiming for the country to “lead the way” in global efforts at managing the new technology’s risks, the White House said.
The “landmark” order directs federal agencies to set new safety standards for AI systems and requires developers to “share their safety test results and other critical information with the US government”, according to a White House statement.
Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris are set to formally introduce the policy at an event later on Monday.
The executive action relies on the Cold War-era Defence Production Act, which gives the federal government certain control over companies when national security is at stake.
The law was used early in Biden’s tenure to speed up the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence will also address risks to critical infrastructure and seek to protect against AI being used to develop dangerous biological materials.
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