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The Implementation of AI Officers in US Federal Agencies
The recent directive from the White House mandates all US federal agencies to appoint chief AI officers, marking a significant step towards advancing governance, innovation, and risk management within the government. This executive order, issued on March 28, is aimed at ensuring responsible and effective utilization of artificial intelligence across various sectors.
Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the crucial role of chief AI officers in overseeing the comprehensive use of AI within each agency. These officers are required to possess the necessary experience, expertise, and authority to guarantee ethical AI deployment throughout the government.
According to official statements, representatives from different agencies have been collaborating since December to streamline efforts and ensure compliance with the new regulations. One of the key requirements entails the establishment of AI governance boards by May 27, a measure that is yet to be fully implemented by the majority of agencies as of the end of March.
Additional Compliance Measures
Besides appointing chief AI officers and setting up governance boards, federal agencies are obligated to introduce safeguards to eliminate algorithmic discrimination and monitor the public impact of their AI initiatives by December 1, 2024. Specific protections will be implemented in critical areas such as healthcare, airport travel, and fraud detection in government services.
Transparency is another vital aspect of the new directive, with agencies required to release detailed annual inventories of AI use cases, report metrics that were previously undisclosed to the public, and share government-owned AI code and data where possible. Any exemptions from OMB policy compliance must be communicated to the public as well.
To enhance the AI workforce, the White House has committed to recruiting 100 AI professionals into government roles by the end of July. Additionally, a substantial budget allocation of $5 billion has been earmarked for expanding a government-wide AI training program, signaling the administration’s commitment to driving AI innovation and expertise.
By fulfilling these new requirements, federal agencies have successfully executed the 150-day action plan outlined in the Biden administration’s AI executive order issued in October 2023. This overarching order encompasses a wide range of AI safety, security, and privacy measures aimed at fostering responsible AI development and deployment within the government.
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