On Thursday, the White House announced that it has set concrete safeguards for the government to use artificial intelligence (AI). Briefing reporters on the new rules set, Vice President Kamala Harris stated it is now required for government agencies to verify the tools they use to not endanger the rights and safety of the people.
The safeguards Harris said would serve as a model for ‘global action.’ The rules were laid out by the Office of Management and Budget. Pointing out an example of Veterans Administration hospital using AI for medical diagnostics, Harris said the hospital would need to show that the results aren’t biased because the training data has been focussed on one race and gender.
She added federal agencies will now also need to publish lists of AI systems they use along with how the risks are being managed. There also is a need for agencies to have a designated ‘Chief AI Officer’ who has the expertise to ensure that the technology has been used responsibly and ethically.
Harris added the President and she intend these policies will serve as a model for global action.
