The White House issues executive order on AI

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The White House has just issued an executive order seeking to establish new standards for AI safety and security.

In a press release issued on Oct. 30, 2023, the order states it will protect Americans’ privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, promote innovation and competition, advance American leadership around the world, and more.

“As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive strategy for responsible innovation, the Executive Order builds on previous actions the President has taken, including work that led to voluntary commitments from 15 leading companies to drive safe, secure, and trustworthy development of AI,” the executive order read.

This order follows efforts by the White House earlier this year to secure commitments from leading AI companies in order to mitigate the risks posed by the rapidly advancing technology. At the time President Biden met with leadership at companies that included Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI to discuss the safe development of AI.

The executive order lays out the following directives: Establish new standards for AI safety and security, protect Americans’ privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers, patients, and students, support workers, promote innovation and competition, advance American leadership abroad, and ensure the responsible and effective government use of AI.

“The actions that President Biden directed today are vital steps forward in the U.S.’s approach on safe, secure, and trustworthy AI,” the White House wrote. “More action will be required, and the Administration will continue to work with Congress to pursue bipartisan legislation to help America lead the way in responsible innovation.”

Security Industry Association (SIA) CEO Don Erickson has stated that the association is currently reviewing the executive order and will provide comments and analysis at a later date, pending discussion with SIA's AI Advisory Board and Identity and Biometric Technology Advisory Board (IBTAB).

The administration promised that this policy was being pursued abroad with partners and allies to develop a strong international framework regarding the use and governance of AI. It compared the issued executive order in support of and complementing other AI legislations around the globe including Japan’s leadership of the G-7 Hiroshima Process, the UK Summit on AI Safety, India’s leadership as Chair of the Global Partnership on AI, and ongoing discussions at the United Nations.

The full executive order can be read online at www.whitehouse.gov.