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The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in various industries has brought the critical need for robust security standards to the forefront. As AI applications become increasingly integrated into daily life, ensuring the security and privacy of these technologies is paramount.
One of the primary challenges in AI security is these systems’ inherently complex and dynamic nature. Machine learning algorithms, a subset of AI, often operate decentralised and adaptively, making it challenging to comprehensively predict and control their behaviour.
President Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure America leads the way in AI technology while addressing its potential risks. The EO establishes new AI safety and security standards, protects Americans’ privacy, advances equity and civil rights, and promotes innovation and competition.
In response to President Biden’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a Request for Information (RFI). This initiative aims to solicit input from diverse stakeholders, including industry, academia, and civil society, to aid in implementing guidelines for AI evaluation, red-teaming, and more.
The Executive Order directs NIST to play a pivotal role in the development of guidelines, the facilitation of consensus-based standards, and the provision of testing environments for the evaluation of AI systems. The overarching goal is to ensure AI technologies’ safe and trustworthy development while fostering their responsible use. With the generation’s AI-recognised technology, the Biden administration is committed to harnessing its power for societal good while mitigating potential risks.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, emphasised collaborative efforts across various sectors. “President Biden has been clear — AI is the defining technology of our generation, and we have an obligation to harness the power of AI for good while protecting people from its risks,” she stated. The RFI is crucial in gathering insights from the AI community, paving the way for industry standards enabling the United States to continue leading the world in responsible AI development.
The RFI seeks explicit information on various aspects of AI, including red-teaming, generative AI risk management, reducing the risk of synthetic content, and advancing responsible global technical standards for AI development. These insights will inform NIST’s efforts to evaluate capabilities related to AI technologies and contribute to developing comprehensive guidelines outlined in the Executive Order.
Under Secretary of Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie Locascio talked about strengthening engagement with the AI community. “We look forward to strengthening our engagement with the community to advance our understanding of AI measurement and evaluation as we begin to work toward the goals set out in the Executive Order,” she stated.
The request for information invites the broader AI community to collaborate with NIST’s dedicated team, promoting a robust and unbiased scientific understanding of AI’s impact on various facets of life.
NIST, known for its open and transparent approach, involves many stakeholders in the guidance development process, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive perspective. The collaborative efforts are integral to establishing standards that balance the rapid evolution of AI with the need for safety, security, and trust.
While the RFI primarily focuses on AI standards, NIST’s assignments under the Executive Order also encompass cybersecurity, privacy, synthetic nucleic acid sequencing, and supporting agencies in implementing minimum risk-management practices. These facets will be addressed separately, reflecting the comprehensive and multifaceted approach NIST is undertaking to address the diverse challenges posed by emerging technologies.
As the digital era continues to evolve, this initiative underscores the commitment of the U.S. government to foster responsible AI development, protect against potential risks, and maintain its leadership role in the global technology landscape. The insights garnered through the RFI will be instrumental in shaping the guidelines that govern the responsible development and use of AI, ensuring a future where this transformative technology is harnessed for the benefit of society.
