Biden Administration Announces Voluntary Commitments from AI Companies to Address Bias and Discrimination
The Biden administration has revealed that seven major artificial intelligence (AI) companies have made new voluntary commitments, marking an important step in the government’s efforts to stay ahead of rapidly advancing technology.
A senior White House official stated that these commitments are pushing the boundaries of what companies are doing and raising the standards for the safety, security, and trustworthiness of AI. President Joe Biden plans to meet with the executives of these seven companies on July 21st, which includes Microsoft, Alphabet, Anthropic, Inflection AI, Meta (formerly Facebook), OpenAI, and Amazon Web Services.
The voluntary commitments made by the companies involve allowing independent testing on AI systems before they are released to the general public. This announcement comes after Vice President Kamala Harris held a meeting with leaders from various firms working on AI products and services.
The rapid development of AI, exemplified by last year’s release of ChatGPT, has prompted the United States and other countries to quickly establish regulations, primarily for safety reasons. Senator Chuck Schumer played a role in coordinating a classified briefing on AI with the White House, which took place on July 11th. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council held its first-ever meeting on AI regulation on July 18th.
The White House emphasized its collaboration with other countries in addressing AI risks, including its Five Eyes partners (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK), as well as Israel, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, India, the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Kenya, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably absent from this list were China and Russia, though the White House official declined to elaborate on the details of diplomatic efforts involving AI.
The White House also noted that President Biden will issue an executive order on AI but did not provide specific details or timing for this order or any related executive actions. The official stated that actions are being considered across various agencies and departments due to the cross-cutting nature of AI. The official also highlighted the president’s priorities of promoting equity, consumer and worker protection, as well as safeguarding national security.
Equity has consistently been a key focus of the Biden administration’s approach to AI. The president’s executive order on racial equity earlier this year aimed to incorporate equity into all AI and automated systems in the federal government. The administration’s latest national strategic plan on AI research and development also emphasizes equity, using the term a dozen times. In contrast, the 2019 plan under the Trump administration did not mention equity at all. The Department of Education has addressed AI’s potential for algorithmic bias in a report, stating that biases must be addressed if they contribute to unjust discriminatory practices in education.
While the voluntary commitments announced by the Biden administration do not explicitly mention equity, they do include measures to address AI bias. The participating companies have pledged to prioritize research on societal risks related to AI systems, including the avoidance of harmful bias and discrimination, and protecting privacy. The commitment to independent prerelease testing acknowledges concerns about the broader societal effects of AI.
For an administration that deems equity essential, these effects may involve disparities that are perceived as inequitable. Other entities, such as the World Economic Forum, have also highlighted the importance of equity and inclusion in AI.
In conclusion, the Biden administration’s announcement of voluntary commitments from AI companies reflects its focus on addressing bias and discrimination in AI systems. These commitments aim to raise standards and prioritize safety, security, and trust in AI technology. The administration’s emphasis on equity aligns with broader efforts to ensure fairness and unbiased outcomes. As AI continues to advance, regulations and collaborations between countries are crucial to navigating the transformative impact of this technology.
