ARDA Members Weigh-In on White House Artificial Intelligence Executive Order

On October 30, the White House announced an executive order on the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of artificial intelligence. The order, which is among the first artificial intelligence (AI)-focused government-issued mandates in the world, will establish guardrails around the continued development and usage of AI, which “has the potential to help solve urgent challenges while making our world more prosperous, productive, innovative, and secure.”

While the introduction of AI has proven beneficial in accelerating business goals across dozens of industries, the order intends to prevent nefarious activity associated with the technology, including potential “societal harms” such as “fraud, discrimination, bias, and disinformation” as well as the potential to “displace and disempower workers; stifle competition; and pose risks to national security.”

“AI security and regulations are crucial topics, and I strongly encourage all my customers to take them seriously,” said Janice Passos, ARDA member and CEO of AI solutionist company Eteriz, Inc. “AI is a powerful tool with many great benefits; however, when used improperly or in the wrong hands, it can be very dangerous. It's gratifying to see the U.S. government actively involved in safeguarding AI usage – a sentiment shared by many business leaders and technology executives across the country.”
According to the order, the following primary measures will be taken to both safeguard the future of and prevent the misuse of AI:

• Developers of powerful AI systems must share results of their safety tests with the federal government before they are released to the public
• The administration will develop effective labeling and content origin mechanisms, so it is easier for consumers to determine when content is generated using AI and when it is not
• The administration will support programs that provide Americans the skills they need to work in the AI field, attract the world’s AI talent to the U.S., and encourage a diverse and inclusive workforce
• The administration will develop best practices to minimize the risk of AI displacing human workers and will protect unlawful discrimination against disenfranchised citizens
• The administration will enforce consumer protection laws regarding AI to ensure continued consumer privacy and prevent the unlawful spread of personal information
• The Federal Government will seek to promote responsible AI safety and security principles and actions with other nations

“Most of the safeguards the order will put into place are already common practices among leading AI companies,” said Passos. “At Eteriz, Inc., for example, we always assess whether or not potential partners actually own their technology, if their customers’ data is secure, and the longevity of the company to ensure we’re only working with highly effective and ethical brands.”

As we look ahead, additional regulations and programs are sure to arise as AI continues to develop. Companies, workers, and the American consumer should be prepared for the impact of what is to come on this rapidly changing technology.