In-Short
- President Biden issues the first US National Security Memorandum on AI.
- The memorandum aims to establish US leadership in safe AI development and leverage AI for national security.
- It includes initiatives to democratize AI research and strengthen international AI governance frameworks.
- The memorandum also highlights the importance of semiconductor manufacturing for AI advancement.
Summary of the National Security Memorandum on AI
President Biden has taken a significant step in shaping the United States’ approach to artificial intelligence (AI) by issuing the country’s inaugural National Security Memorandum (NSM) on AI. This directive is a strategic move to address the technology’s implications for national security and foreign policy. Security expert Melissa Ruzzi from AppOmni underscores the current impact of AI on national security, particularly in the realm of cyberattacks and misinformation.
The NSM sets forth three main goals: to solidify the US’s position as a leader in the development of safe AI, to harness AI technologies to enhance national security, and to promote the creation of international governance frameworks. The memorandum identifies the protection of American AI innovations as a critical intelligence priority, in light of competitors’ attempts to undermine US leadership and engage in espionage.
As part of the memorandum’s initiatives, the AI Safety Institute is designated as the government’s primary liaison with the AI industry, staffed by technical experts and in partnership with key national security agencies. The memorandum also supports the National AI Research Resource pilot program, which seeks to broaden AI research opportunities to a wider range of entities, including universities and small businesses.
Cybersecurity is a focal point of the NSM, with an emphasis on the risks associated with AI misconfigurations. Internationally, the memorandum builds on diplomatic successes such as the G7’s AI Code of Conduct and the endorsement of the US-led Political Declaration on the Military Use of AI by 56 nations. Additionally, the Biden administration has achieved a diplomatic milestone with the unanimous passage of the UN General Assembly Resolution on AI.
The memorandum also ties into the broader context of AI development by highlighting the critical role of semiconductor manufacturing, as seen in Biden’s CHIPS Act, which aims to secure and diversify the chip supply chain. This latest initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive strategy for responsible AI innovation, balancing technological leadership with democratic principles and human rights.
Further Reading
For more detailed insights into President Biden’s National Security Memorandum on AI, please visit the original source.
Footnotes
Image credit: Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash
