The Biden administration has made several moves to promote the ethical development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In October 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. This outlined 5 key rights Americans should have regarding AI systems: safe and effective systems, algorithmic discrimination protections, data privacy, notice and explanation of AI use, and human alternatives and oversight.
On October 30, 2023, President Biden signed an executive order on promoting trustworthy AI. This order established new safety testing requirements for powerful AI systems, strengthened privacy protections, addressed algorithmic discrimination, supported workers affected by AI displacement, promoted innovation and competition in ethical AI, and more.
“These technologies can drive great innovations, but can also threaten rights if not developed responsibly,” said OSTP Deputy Director Alondra Nelson. Biden’s order outlines “the most significant actions ever taken by any government to advance the field of AI safety,” states the White House.
Experts say this shows the administration’s commitment to addressing growing public concerns about unethical uses of AI. “This is an important step toward ensuring AI works for the American people, not against them,” said AI ethics researcher Mary Gray. While voluntary initially, the order sets the stage for binding policies on testing AI systems for safety, bias and other issues before deployment.
The Biden Administration’s Vision for Ethical AI
The White House has laid out principles and policies aiming to ensure artificial intelligence is developed ethically and protects people’s rights. I break down what you need to know about the AI Bill of Rights and new executive order.
In October 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy published a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights outlining 5 key rights that AI systems should respect:
- Safe & effective systems
- No algorithmic discrimination
- Data privacy
- Notice & explanation of AI use
- Human alternatives & oversight
This established an important set of principles to guide both government and companies in AI development.
On October 30, 2023, President Biden followed up by signing a landmark executive order on promoting trustworthy AI. This order puts those rights into action by:
- Requiring safety testing for powerful AI systems
- Strengthening privacy protections
- Addressing algorithmic discrimination in areas like healthcare and housing
- Supporting workers affected by AI automation
- Fostering innovation and competition in ethical AI
This executive order establishes the first government safety testing standards for AI systems before they are deployed. It shows the administration’s commitment to ensuring AI is developed responsibly.
While an important step, fully realizing the vision of ethical AI, especially in regards to K12 education, will require continued effort by government, companies, researchers and civil society. But the AI Bill of Rights and executive order provide a strong foundation for a further, more inclusive and expansive conversation on how it can be utilized as a way to promote human good, civil rights, and preserve democracy.
References:
Nelson, A., Friedler, S., & Fields-Meyer, A. (2022, October 4). Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights: A vision for protecting our civil rights in the algorithmic age. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/10/04/blueprint-for-an-ai-bill-of-rightsa-vision-for-protecting-our-civil-rights-in-the-algorithmic-age/
The White House. (2023, October 30). Fact sheet: President Biden issues executive order on safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/30/fact-sheet-president-biden-issues-executive-order-on-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-artificial-intelligence/
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2023). Artificial intelligence and the future of teaching and learning: Insights and recommendations. https://www2.ed.gov/documents/ai-report/ai-report.pdf
