In a significant move, President Joe Biden has signed an executive order aimed at setting rules for generative AI, addressing key areas in the absence of comprehensive legislation from

lawmakers.

The executive order outlines eight primary objectives, which include establishing new standards for AI safety and security, safeguarding privacy, advancing equity and civil rights, advocating for consumers, patients, and students, supporting workers, promoting innovation and competition, enhancing US leadership in AI technologies, and ensuring responsible and effective government use of AI.

Multiple government agencies are tasked with specific responsibilities, such as developing standards to prevent the misuse of AI in engineering biological materials, setting best practices for content authentication, and building advanced cybersecurity programs.

The National Institute of Standards and Safety (NIST) will take charge of developing standards to "red team" AI models before public release. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy and Department of Homeland Security have been directed to address the potential threats AI poses to infrastructure, as well as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and cybersecurity risks. Large AI model developers, including OpenAI and Meta, are required to share safety test results.

The White House has called on Congress to pass data privacy regulations to protect users' privacy and foster the development of "privacy-preserving" techniques and technologies.

To combat AI-driven discrimination, the executive order aims to address algorithmic discrimination and ensure fairness in the use of technology for tasks such as sentencing, parole, and surveillance. Government agencies are instructed to provide guidelines for landlords, federal benefits programs, and contracts to prevent AI from exacerbating discrimination.

Furthermore, the executive order directs agencies to tackle job displacement and generate a report on AI's impact on the labor market. It also seeks to encourage more individuals to enter the AI ecosystem by launching a National AI Research Resource to provide essential information to students and AI researchers, as well as offer technical assistance to small businesses. The order also mandates the expedited hiring of AI professionals for government positions.

While the Biden administration previously introduced an AI Bill of Rights and entered into agreements with leading AI companies, this executive order serves as a significant step towards establishing standards for generative AI. Although executive orders are not permanent laws and typically endure only for the duration of the president's administration, lawmakers are actively discussing comprehensive AI regulations, with some aiming to pass AI-related laws by year-end.

Industry experts view the executive order as a positive step toward setting standards in the field of generative AI, demonstrating the US government's commitment to addressing AI-related issues.

Navrina Singh, founder of Credo AI and a member of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, believes that this executive order underscores the government's prioritization of AI. She noted that while policies may not be perfect initially, the order is a crucial step as discussions on AI legislation continue. Photo by mikemacmarketing, Wikimedia commons.