On 30 October, President Joe Biden issued a comprehensive executive order on artificial intelligence (AI). The executive order marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges and leveraging the benefits of this rapidly evolving technology. The executive order prioritises standards in three main areas: privacy, national security, and safety. The White House’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Bruce Reed highlighted that the executive order represents the most robust set of actions any government has taken on AI safety and trust to date.

What is an executive order?

America is the only country that we’ve seen issue executive orders. According to the American Bar Association, it is one of the most common “presidential” documents in modern America. Every American president has issued at least one. An executive order is a signed, written, and published directive from the President of the United States that manages operations of the federal government.

How does the executive order impact you?

For now, the executive order is binding on government agencies in the United States. It does not impact the private sector. Biden’s commitment to AI action comes amid global efforts, with China and the European Union already implementing their regulations. The order aims to position the US as a front runner for AI development while managing associated risks.

Highlights from the executive order

Privacy and AI Integration

The executive order underscores the crucial link between privacy and AI. It explicitly calls on Congress to advance comprehensive privacy legislation, recognizing that AI’s data-driven nature poses risks to individuals’ privacy.

Government oversight and data protection

Federal agencies must develop techniques to safeguard privacy by striking a balance between making data accessible for training AI systems and ensuring its security and anonymity. The order also directs the National Science Foundation to collaborate on developing stronger cryptography protections.

Developer accountability

To ensure transparency and accountability, the order relies on the Defense Production Act to hold developers accountable to share safety test results with the government before making them public. This includes red-team safety test data, crucial for identifying potential risks.

Protecting workers and promoting equity

Building on Biden’s AI Bill of Rights, the order addresses discrimination concerns by requiring agencies to provide guidance on AI use in areas such as housing and federal benefits programs. It also emphasises civil rights protections and standards for AI use in the criminal justice system.

Promoting competition in the US

The order places a strong focus on enhancing US competitiveness in AI. It calls for the creation of a National AI Research Resource, streamlining the visa process for AI-skilled individuals, and supporting small businesses with technical assistance to boost research capabilities.

Global landscape and pressure on Congress

There appears to be a global race among superpower countries to enact AI regulation. While Biden’s order is ambitious, it also acknowledges the limits of executive action alone. As G7 countries sign a voluntary code of conduct for AI development, there’s a lot of pressure on Congress to keep up the pace with global initiatives. Biden and House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers is also calling on Congress to enact a federal law to govern privacy.

Actions you can take

  • Dive into the details of the Biden executive order by downloading it.
  • It’s important to stay informed on AI developments by regularly updating yourself on the evolving landscape of AI regulations to adapt your strategies to align with them.
  • The executive order highlights the clear connection between privacy and AI. That’s why it’s good practice to explore privacy-enhancing technologies by adopting and investing in them to align your AI strategies with evolving regulatory requirements.