White House Secures AI Firms’ Commitment to Voluntary Safeguards, Shuns Imposing New Regulations

Today the White House has mandated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tech companies must pledge to a set of regulatory standards to maintain privacy, security, and prevent discriminatory practices. The move marks the first time the federal government has pushed the tech industry to make a voluntary commitment.

The Trump administration has long promised to avoid imposing new regulations on the tech industry. However, as AI technology rapidly advances, so does government concern that the technology could be used as a tool for invasion of privacy or perpetuation of discrimination.

The government is seeking to ensure companies develop AI responsibly, and is asking the industry to commit to specific principles related to human control, explaining systems they use, and considering the effects on society. Issues such as privacy protection, security, fairness, transparency, and accountability will be taken into account.

The Trump administration “recognizes the critical importance of this technology and that it must be used in a responsible manner that benefits all Americans,” said John Gage, an assistant secretary of commerce who is leading the White House’s AI policy development.

Companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft have already voiced their support for the initiative.

Despite industry backing for the voluntary approach, the AI sector will remain heavily scrutinized in the years to come. It will be important for companies to maintain the standards promised by the federal government to insure that AI is used in an ethical and responsible manner.