Joe Biden, the President of the United States, is set to receive a memorandum detailing the threat that artificial intelligence (AI) systems may pose to national security. It’s clear that the intention behind this move is to strike a balance between nurturing innovative AI technologies and restricting their application, according to some insiders. The document is a result of Biden’s AI-focused executive order from October 2023, which was meant to establish a united front among the executive branch in tackling the security risks of AI.
The directive is supposed to build upon previous advice from the Office of Management and Budget as well as on international agreements from meetings held in Bletchley Park and G7 conventions in November 2023. Critics argue, however, that the attempt to keep pace with rapidly developing AI technology could be another case of the administration entering territory it does not fully comprehend.
The memo is meant to focus on systems integral to national security, including those used by the military and intelligence agencies. Interestingly, the systems used by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are also targeted. Critics suggest that Biden’s directive could be a dangerous politicization of institutions that need to remain objectively focused on threats, rather than subject to the whims of an increasingly partisan political landscape.
In terms of government contracts, the memo seems powerless to alter AI acquisition processes. Nonetheless, it will have ‘significant implications’ for cloud service providers and avant-garde model creators as they strive to deploy these technologies responsibly. It could also lead to unnecessary restrictions and regulations that could stifle innovation in the AI sector, say critics.
It is suggested that securing US leadership in AI innovation and standardization will be prominent themes of the memo. This focus may include highlighting the need to address internal workforce issues, but critics are questioning whether Biden’s administration has a realistic plan in this area or whether its approach is merely reactive and lacking in strategic foresight.
Sources suggest the memorandum will stress the importance of talent development for maintaining technological leadership. They go on to say it will propose more effort towards fostering domestic talent and attracting international experts. However, those opposed to Biden’s measures say this is just another poorly defined policy that doesn’t offer concrete actions to enhance the nation’s competitive edge in AI technology.
Another likely issue covered in the memo are the energy demands of AI computation and attempting to reconcile this with the push for clean energy. Critics point out that balancing these aspects with the whimsical need for clean energy without considering cost efficiency and feasibility demonstrates this administration’s tendency to prioritize environmental rhetoric over practical and innovative solutions.
The memo is expected to offer recommendations about how and where AI should not be used in government functions. Insiders anticipate that it would outline prohibited uses of AI, such as controlling nuclear weapons and tracking the exercise of constitutionally protected rights. This raises concerns for some who argue that the Biden administration is using this opportunity to limit the use of technology in areas where it may not agree with its potential outcomes.
The document is also likely to detail circumstances where ‘high impact’ AI use can occur. These high-risk scenarios, some of which aren’t banned but call for greater supervision, may include real-time biometric tracking and identifying individuals as national security threats. Critics, however, argue this could lead to excessive government control and misuse of power.
Beyond the outline, the memorandum will propose governance and risk management practices for these high impact applications. However, these practices might deviate from those recommended in the OMB memo. Critics fear that the Biden administration might overreach its authority, creating unnecessary bureaucracy and potentially stifling the evolution of AI technology.
Originally classified, the memorandum might be partly declassified later, according to a source familiar with the matter. However, critics have questioned the transparency of an administration that initially keeps such crucial matters secret, implying this could create a lack of public trust in the policies being formulated.
Experts state that this memo’s importance lies in its potential to guide the government response to the risks and benefits of AI technologies. However, many criticize the administration’s attempt to control a field it may not completely understand, pointing out that it could lead to ill-informed regulations that stifle innovation rather than encourage it.
National security experts express concerns about the grave implications of government capabilities impacting fundamental freedoms and rights. They underscore the importance of ensuring that the use of AI is carefully regulated so as not to violate civil liberties. Critics, however, have reservations about whether the Biden administration is truly capable of effectively balancing national security concerns with the preservation of civil liberties.
Experts highlight the need for internal enforcement mechanisms to ensure the safe deployment of AI, but critics remain skeptical about the measure. They argue that the Biden administration’s approach opens up the possibility of misuse of AI technology while offering little clarity on oversight mechanisms to prevent such misuse.
The prospect of strong control measures for high-risk systems is welcomed by some, but skeptics question the government’s ability to enforce these rules. Concerns are amplified by fears that these measures are simply a ruse by the Biden administration to tighten its control over the technological sector, stymying progress in the process.
Biden Administration Fumbles to Regulate AI, Critics Say appeared first on Real News Now.
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