White House Orders Federal Agencies to Appoint Chief AI Officers for Technology Oversight

The White House has issued a directive requiring all federal agencies to appoint chief artificial intelligence officers to supervise the government's diverse approaches to AI and mitigate the potential risks associated with the rapidly advancing technologies.

Government-Wide Policy

This directive is part of a government-wide policy from the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), announced by Vice President Kamala Harris. The policy comes in the wake of President Biden's comprehensive AI executive order signed in October.

Push for Technological Advancement

The White House is aiming to propel the federal government, often known for its slow-moving bureaucracy, towards keeping pace with the transformations in the field of artificial intelligence.

Chief AI Officers

All federal agencies have been directed to designate a chief AI officer with the requisite experience, expertise, and authority to oversee the use of all AI technologies within their respective agencies.

Responsible Use of AI

Vice President Harris emphasized the need for senior leaders across the government to be specifically tasked with overseeing the adoption and use of AI to ensure responsible and unbiased usage.

Establishment of AI Governance Boards

The new OMB policy also mandates federal agencies to establish AI governance boards to coordinate and stipulate regulations for the use of AI technologies within each agency. Several departments such as Defense, Housing and Urban Development, State, and Veterans Affairs have already set up these governance boards.

Expansion of AI Professionals

The Biden administration plans to hire 100 AI professionals across federal agencies by the summer. This move is aimed at bolstering the government's capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence.

Concrete Safeguards

By December, federal agencies are required to implement "concrete safeguards" when utilizing AI in a manner that could impact the rights or safety of Americans. For instance, the Veterans Affairs department, if using AI in hospitals to aid in diagnosing patients, must ensure that the technology does not produce racially biased diagnoses.

Transparency and Accountability

Federal agencies will also be mandated to publish a list of their AI systems online, including an assessment of the associated risks and their plans to manage them. This list must be updated annually to ensure transparency and accountability.

Global Model for Action

Vice President Harris expressed the intention for these domestic policies to set a precedent for global action, underlining the government's commitment to responsible AI governance and oversight.