Vice President Kamala Harris in the U.K. on Wednesday declared that the Biden administration would lead in setting international rules for artificial intelligence to control the way the tech is used worldwide.
Speaking from the American embassy in London, Ms. Harris said she and President Biden want new global action to combat AI danger.
“The United States will continue to work with our allies and partners to apply existing international rules and norms to AI and work to create new rules and norms,” she said.
Ms. Harris cited concerns about AI-powered cyberattacks and manipulation as driving the administration’s push to create new rules of the road for AI, the advanced computing and engineering that makes machines capable of performing complex tasks that usually require human intelligence.
The vice president said 30 nations signed onto a U.S. declaration calling for militaries to use AI responsibly. The joint commitment emphasizes that militaries need to use a human chain of command and control when deploying new AI tech, according to the State Department.
“To provide order and stability in the midst of global, technological change, I firmly believe that we must be guided by a common set of understandings among nations,” Ms. Harris said.
Mr. Biden unveiled a sweeping executive order affecting domestic AI policy earlier this week and Ms. Harris traveled to the U.K. for a summit with international officials on AI safety.
As Ms. Harris woos overseas partners to adopt the White House’s vision for AI regulation, she announced the administration is creating a United States AI Safety Institute to develop standards for testing AI models.
The institute will produce technical guidance for use by regulators writing rules about discrimination, privacy and the authentication of content. The new U.S. institute expects to share its work with a forthcoming U.K. AI Safety Institute and other institutions as they work to collectively impose AI rules, according to the White House.
Ms. Harris said new AI legislation is urgently needed from Congress.
“President Biden and I are committed to working with our partners in Congress to codify future meaningful AI and privacy protections,” she said. “And I will also note, even now, ahead of congressional action, there are many existing laws and regulations that reflect our nation’s long-standing commitment to the principles of privacy, transparency, accountability and consumer protection.”
The Democrat-run Senate is working on new AI legislation.
Mr. Biden huddled at the White House on AI policy with four senators on Tuesday, including Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, Sen. Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Democrat, Sen. Todd Young, Indiana Republican, and Sen. Mike Rounds, South Dakota Republican.
After the meeting, Mr. Schumer said more spending of taxpayer dollars would be necessary for future AI legislation.
“We’ll fall behind China and other countries if we don’t do investing, they’re doing a lot of investing,” Mr. Schumer told reporters. “We’re a lot better at this right now but if our investment falls down and China invests way ahead of us, we won’t be ahead of the game in a little while.”
Mr. Schumer convened a private forum for senators to scrutinize AI’s effects on workforce issues on Wednesday with labor leaders.
Mr. Biden‘s team is also moving to implement the executive action. The Office of Management and Budget is preparing to release proposed guidelines for the government’s use of AI, the White House said on Wednesday.
Source:Washington Times
