In accordance with the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act, the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC) was formed as a multi-agency group of AI experts tasked to advise the President on AI policy and activities. According to NAIAC, “Our Committee wants the U.S. government to address both the opportunities to benefit society as well as tackle the concerns head-on, establishing rules and standards that comport with democratic values, civil liberties, and universal human rights.”

Last week, the advisory committee issued its Year 1 report, providing recommendations that address the opportunities and challenges presented by transformative AI technologies.

The report is centered around four main themes: (1) Leadership in Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence; (2) Leadership in Research and Development; (3) Supporting the U.S. Workforce and Providing Opportunity; and (4) International Cooperation. Under each theme are 13 total objectives, with each objective tied to a set of recommended steps to bring the objective to fruition.

Within the report, the committee acknowledges that a focus area on AI technologies in the criminal justice system is missing, though a Law Enforcement Subcommittee is in the works to address this discrepancy.

Below are the actionable steps recommended under each of the report’s four themes:

Should these recommendations be considered, added positions such as a Chief Responsible AI Officer and potential Chief AI Officers, or the like, at federal agencies may influence the future of AI investments and procurements, in similar fashion as Chief Data Officers in recent years. Moreover, the report calls for additional funding at research-based agencies such as NSF, NIST and NOAA to enhance U.S. AI-based research and leadership. Agencies typically unassociated with the evolution of emerging technologies, such as Labor and State, may also see increased responsibilities and funding to advance the workforce and solidify international allies in AI.  

While the recent report directly addresses solutions for current AI benefits and challenges, the committee states that its future Year 2 and 3 reports will address additional issues such as Generative AI, workforce impact by AI, equitably in systems, and AI use in social solutions.