Biden signs executive order to regulate generative AI
It might not be a permanent law, but AI experts say it's a step in the right direction
After months of speculation about how the United States would approach the regulation of generative artificial intelligence, President Joe Biden revealed a comprehensive executive order aimed at AI on Monday. The order, which CNBC pointed out is "the U.S. government’s first action of its kind," requires "new safety assessments, equity and civil rights guidance and research on AI's impact on the labor market."
The order outlines eight key goals, per The Verge: to create new standards for AI safety and security; protect privacy; advance equity and civil rights; prioritize consumers, patients, and students; support workers; promote innovation and competition; advance U.S. leadership in AI technologies; and ensure the responsible and effective government use of the technology.
Under the order, several federal agencies will be tasked with creating safety standards for developing AI, establishing best practices for authentication, and building cybersecurity programs. The National Institute of Standards and Technology will work on developing standards for AI "red-teaming," or stress testing the systems' defenses. The Department of Commerce will be in charge of establishing standards for watermarking AI-generated content.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What are the best investments for beginners?The Explainer Stocks and ETFs and bonds, oh my
-
What to know before filing your own taxes for the first timethe explainer Tackle this financial milestone with confidence
-
The biggest box office flops of the 21st centuryin depth Unnecessary remakes and turgid, expensive CGI-fests highlight this list of these most notorious box-office losers
-
Judge blocks Hegseth from punishing Kelly over videoSpeed Read Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed for the senator to be demoted over a video in which he reminds military officials they should refuse illegal orders
-
Trump’s EPA kills legal basis for federal climate policySpeed Read The government’s authority to regulate several planet-warming pollutants has been repealed
-
House votes to end Trump’s Canada tariffsSpeed Read Six Republicans joined with Democrats to repeal the president’s tariffs
-
Bondi, Democrats clash over Epstein in hearingSpeed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi ignored survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and demanded that Democrats apologize to Trump
-
El Paso airspace closure tied to FAA-Pentagon standoffSpeed Read The closure in the Texas border city stemmed from disagreements between the Federal Aviation Administration and Pentagon officials over drone-related tests
-
Judge blocks Trump suit for Michigan voter rollsSpeed Read A Trump-appointed federal judge rejected the administration’s demand for voters’ personal data
-
US to send 200 troops to Nigeria to train armySpeed Read Trump has accused the West African government of failing to protect Christians from terrorist attacks
-
Grand jury rejects charging 6 Democrats for ‘orders’ videoSpeed Read The jury refused to indict Democratic lawmakers for a video in which they urged military members to resist illegal orders
