This Week in Government AI: 5/17/24

Federal:

Senate Leaders Release AI Policy Roadmap - The Senate released a comprehensive AI policy roadmap addressing intellectual property, AI research funding, sector-specific regulations, and transparency. Key topics include publicity rights, disclosure requirements, increased AI research funding, national defense investments, AI in political ads, and privacy and legal liability. The roadmap is based on input from diverse stakeholders and aims to shape future AI legislation.

Labor Department Releases Principles on AI and Workers with Pledges from Microsoft, Indeed - The Biden administration released principles to guide AI interaction with workers, emphasizing responsible data use, worker support, and transparency. These voluntary principles have been endorsed by companies like Microsoft and Indeed. The initiative aims to ensure AI technology enhances work quality and aligns with existing laws while inviting further commitments from other tech companies.

Advocates Warn Schumer’s AI Roadmap Doesn’t Go Far Enough - Critics argue that Schumer’s AI roadmap focuses too much on promoting innovation and industry, neglecting the real-world harms of AI systems. Civil rights and labor advocates emphasize the need for stronger preventive measures and regulations to address issues like bias, transparency, and climate impact.

State Department Revolutionizes Records Management with AI - The State Department uses AI and machine learning to streamline declassification and FOIA processes, significantly reducing manual labor and improving efficiency. The department's AI initiatives have led to cost savings and enhanced document management, including automated declassification reviews and improved public access to information.

White House and Labor Department's Framework to Protect Workers from AI Harms - The Department of Labor and the White House introduced a framework to protect workers from the negative impacts of AI. The principles emphasize worker empowerment, ethical AI development, transparency, and protecting labor rights. This initiative is part of the Biden administration's broader effort to manage AI's impact on the workforce.

House Bill to Create AI Security Task Force at CISA - Representatives Troy Carter and Bennie Thompson proposed a bill to establish a task force at CISA focused on AI security and safety. The task force will coordinate efforts to secure AI technologies and advise on potential risks, highlighting the need for proactive measures in AI deployment across critical sectors.

Cyber, Intel Chiefs Confident in Election Security but Concerned About AI Manipulated Content - U.S. cyber and intelligence officials are prepared for election interference but emphasize the challenges posed by AI-generated content. While tools and collaborations with AI firms are in place to detect fake content, officials highlight the complexity of managing AI-driven disinformation and the importance of public trust in election security.

How the Biden Administration is Tackling Diversity in Federal AI Hiring - The Biden administration is prioritizing diversity in AI hiring within the federal workforce. Efforts include active recruiting, targeting diverse candidates, and promoting AI-enabling jobs. The goal is to build a workforce that reflects America's diversity and brings varied perspectives to AI development and regulation.

New TMF Investments Boost Agency Projects in Generative AI, Digital Service Delivery, and Accessibility - The Technology Modernization Fund announced investments to enhance AI capabilities, security, and digital services at the Departments of State, Education, and Commerce. These funds will support AI-driven diplomacy, zero-trust architecture, student aid improvements, and weather information accessibility.

The No. 1 Risk Companies See in Gen AI Usage Isn’t Hallucinations - Companies are increasingly concerned about the risk of intellectual property (IP) theft and data privacy breaches when using generative AI, rather than AI "hallucinations" or inaccuracies. Ensuring data security and compliance with regulations is paramount as organizations deploy generative AI tools, highlighting the need for robust data management and protection strategies.

Schumer Releases AI Roadmap : Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a bipartisan working group unveiled a framework for AI that proposes $32 billion for nondefense AI innovation. The roadmap emphasizes enforcing existing laws over creating new regulations and supports a comprehensive federal data privacy law. Schumer highlighted the need for urgency in legislative development, especially concerning election integrity and competitiveness in global AI innovation.

US Labels AI Talks with China 'Constructive' : The Biden administration described its recent discussions with China on artificial intelligence risks and safety as "constructive." This dialogue is part of ongoing efforts to manage the complex dynamics of AI technology on a global scale.

Americans Worry AI Deception Will Affect 2024 Elections : A national survey reveals that 78% of Americans anticipate that AI abuses, such as generating false information and manipulating voters, will impact the 2024 presidential election. Lee Rainie, director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center, emphasized the challenging environment due to new AI-enabled misinformation tactics. The survey also found a strong majority favoring penalties for candidates who misuse AI to alter media.

House Bill Calls on CISA to Form AI Task Force : Representatives Troy Carter and Bennie Thompson have introduced a bill directing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to create a task force for AI safety and security. This task force is part of a broader effort to align with President Biden’s AI executive order, focusing on secure AI design, development, and deployment across critical sectors.

Government AI Funding Among Priorities in Senate Working Group Roadmap : A bipartisan Senate working group has outlined a roadmap focusing on AI policy areas that merit bipartisan consideration, including substantial federal research funding. The group emphasizes the need for $32 billion annually in non-defense AI innovation to maintain U.S. leadership in AI. The roadmap also calls for fully funding initiatives like the National AI Research Resource, highlighting the importance of boosting competitiveness in emerging technologies.

Bipartisan Group of Senators Unveils Plan to Tackle AI : Led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a bipartisan group of senators released a report outlining steps for Congress to manage artificial intelligence. This initiative emphasizes the need for comprehensive AI policies to address the rapid advancements and impacts of AI technologies.

AI Regulation: Senators Unveil AI Plan : A bipartisan group of senators, including Chuck Schumer, introduced a plan to ramp up U.S. AI efforts to $32 billion annually by 2026. Despite a push for increased funding, the plan largely sidesteps firm regulatory measures. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman advocates for a global AI agency to manage risks associated with advanced AI systems, suggesting an international approach to oversight to prevent significant global harm.

Election-related AI Bills Test Bipartisan Support for Regulation : Two bills aimed at regulating artificial intelligence in elections advanced out of a Senate panel, reflecting the ongoing partisan divide. These bills focus on the use of AI in election processes and the need for appropriate oversight to ensure the integrity of electoral systems.

Senate Study Proposes 'At Least' $32B Yearly for AI Programs : A Senate working group recommends at least $32 billion annually for AI, covering infrastructure, national security, and innovation challenges. The "roadmap" is comprehensive, though not a detailed policy yet, aiming to boost AI development through funding and inter-agency cooperation, and to modernize government services using AI. The roadmap addresses broad defense needs and potential regulatory gaps in sensitive sectors like finance and housing.

With the Rise of AI, Workforce Planning is Critical. But Many Governments Don’t Do It. : Despite AI's transformative potential, many state and local governments lag in strategic workforce planning. Challenges include decentralized HR management, short-term political focuses, and inadequate resources. The disparity in planning capabilities and actual execution across different agencies adds to the complexity, highlighting a need for a more unified and long-term approach to harness AI's benefits effectively.

Senate Rules Advances Three AI Election Bills : Senate Rules Committee advanced three bills focusing on AI in elections. These bills aim to prohibit deceptive AI, require AI disclaimers, and establish guidelines on AI risks. While there is bipartisan concern over AI's potential to spread disinformation, opposition exists regarding the balance between innovation and fraud prevention, with some advocating for state-level regulation.

Government Officials Warn of Complex Threats to US Elections : During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Biden administration officials discussed the complex threats to U.S. elections, including foreign influence and generative AI. They emphasized advancements in election security but highlighted ongoing risks, such as foreign actors using AI to create targeted disinformation campaigns. Efforts to protect elections have improved, but challenges from foreign adversaries and AI technologies persist.

McConnell Opposes Bill to Ban Use of Deceptive AI to Influence Elections : Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expressed opposition to bipartisan legislation aiming to ban AI-generated deceptive content in federal election campaigns. He criticized the proposal for potentially overregulating political speech and altering the established legal framework for handling misleading political ads. McConnell argued that the bills could infringe on free speech by imposing broad content restrictions.

VA’s AI Model to Prevent Suicides a ‘Game-Changer,’ Official Says The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has introduced an AI model designed to prevent suicides among veterans. Described as a "game-changer," the model leverages data to identify high-risk individuals and intervene proactively. This innovative approach aims to significantly reduce the suicide rate among veterans by providing timely and targeted support.

HHS to Fund AI, Behavioral Health IT Projects in FY 2024 ?The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced funding for AI and behavioral health IT projects in fiscal year 2024. The initiative aims to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes through advanced technology. These projects will focus on enhancing data analytics, patient care, and overall system efficiency in the behavioral health sector.

DoD’s Former Chief Digital and AI Officer Heads to Private Sector Craig Martell, the former Chief Digital and AI Officer of the Department of Defense (DoD), has transitioned to the private sector. His move highlights the ongoing exchange of expertise between government and industry in the field of digital and AI innovation. Martell’s new role is expected to influence private sector advancements in AI and technology integration.

US, China Meet to Discuss AI Risks Officials from the U.S. and China are convening to address mutual concerns about AI risks. The discussions aim to establish collaborative efforts to manage AI's advancement safely, focusing on potential threats such as privacy issues, misinformation, and cyber threats associated with AI technologies.

NASA Has a New Chief AI Officer NASA has appointed a new Chief AI Officer to oversee the integration of AI technologies into its operations and research. This position aims to harness AI's potential to enhance NASA's missions, including data analysis, simulations, and operational efficiencies across various space and ground-based projects.

Promoting Use of AI at NRC Requires Framework, New Report Says A new report from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) outlines the need for a comprehensive AI framework to support the integration of AI technologies. The framework focuses on governance, talent acquisition, and resource allocation to foster ethical and effective AI deployment within NRC's regulatory activities.

Artificial Intelligence May Help to Make the VA Claims Filing Process Easier The Department of Veterans Affairs is exploring AI solutions to simplify and expedite the claims filing process. AI tools are being developed to assist veterans in navigating the system, ensuring that they receive the benefits they are entitled to more efficiently.

Ultimate Secure Agency Issues Advice for Secure AI A federal agency has issued guidelines to ensure the secure use of AI technologies within government operations. The advice covers best practices for implementing AI in a way that safeguards data and systems against potential vulnerabilities and threats.

Innovation Is Transforming Government: Now It's Time to Update Tech Procurement This commentary discusses the need for updated procurement processes to keep pace with technological innovations in government. It argues for reforms that enable more agile and efficient acquisition of new technologies to better serve public needs.

State:

Colorado’s New Comprehensive AI Law - Colorado enacted a law regulating AI systems, focusing on consumer protection, bias prevention, and documentation requirements. The law applies to developers and deployers of high-risk AI systems, with enforcement by the Colorado Attorney General. Companies must implement risk management policies and ensure transparency in AI usage.

Using AI, Indiana Outlines Career Paths for Job Seekers : The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is using AI through a tool called Pivot to enhance job seekers' experiences. Pivot helps align individuals' skills with market demands and suggests career paths by analyzing vast data sets. This initiative marks a shift from generic job lists to personalized career recommendations, aiming to improve workforce development and the job matching process in Indiana.

Short-Staffed: How AI Helps New Jersey Residents Reach City Hall Faced with staffing shortages, New Jersey is implementing AI chatbots to improve public access to city services. These AI systems are designed to handle inquiries and provide timely responses, ensuring that residents can receive assistance despite limited human resources.

Other Worthwhile Reads:

AI Skill You Must Learn to Stay Competitive in the Jobs Market CNBC highlights the critical AI skills necessary for maintaining competitiveness in the evolving job market. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding and leveraging AI tools across various industries, suggesting that proficiency in AI technologies is becoming essential for career advancement and job security.

Why AI Won't Take Over The World Anytime Soon Bernard Marr in Forbes argues that fears of AI dominance are exaggerated due to the inherent limitations of current AI technology. He explains that most AI today is "narrow AI," which excels in specific tasks but lacks general understanding and the ability to operate outside its programmed capabilities. The leap to artificial general intelligence (AGI) is far off, as AI lacks human-like learning and cognition abilities and depends heavily on large data sets, which restrict its learning in data-scarce domains.

How AI Could Make Workers More Productive but Paid Less - AI-driven productivity gains are more significant for lower-skilled workers, potentially leading to outsourcing and wage disparities. Studies show that AI can homogenize productivity, reducing wage growth relative to productivity increases. Policymakers and labor unions are concerned about AI’s impact on job markets and wage inequality.

Unlocking the Trillion-Dollar Potential of Generative AI - Experts from AWS and QuantumBlack discuss generative AI's economic impact and strategies for workforce upskilling. The session highlights the importance of integrating AI responsibly and establishing an AI-ready business model to capture the technology’s massive potential value.

OpenAI's ChatGPT App The New York Times explores the capabilities and impact of OpenAI's ChatGPT app, focusing on its role in daily tasks and its broader implications for communication and automation. The article examines how this tool is reshaping interactions and the potential it holds for future developments.