The Department of Commerce shared a statement by Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson April 11 about artificial intelligence accountability.
In his remarks, Davidson, who represented the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, (NTIA) thanked the University of Pittsburgh for hosting the discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and acknowledged the potential benefits of responsible innovation.
He also shared several concerns with AI development and cited risks associated with privacy, security, safety, potential bias and discrimination, trust, democracy, jobs, and the economy, according to the statement.
"President Biden spoke to this tension just last week, at a meeting of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology,” Davidson said. “He said, 'AI can help deal with some very difficult challenges like disease and climate change, but we also have to address the potential risks to our society, to our economy, to our national security.’”
"The president is right,” Davidson said. “We need to capture AI’s benefits without falling prey to the risks that are emerging. That’s why we want to make sure that we are creating an environment to enable trustworthy AI."
Modern AI systems, "and particularly the massive innovations that are taking place in machine learning – will create new opportunities to improve people’s lives,” Davidson said. “From the AI that accelerated a COVID vaccine – to technology for the visually impaired – to AI-fueled advances in medical diagnosis — these tools will change lives."
Davidson added that policymakers should not get too caught up in the present.
“While we continue to work on policy in the present moment, we are also looking over the horizon and formulating forward-looking recommendations," he said. "Europe and the states are moving ahead to address AI risks and promises now. We’re here to advance federal policy and make sure we get it right.”
He noted that in 2021, more than 130 bills were passed relating to AI.
"AI systems should operate safely and protect rights," Davidson said. "We want – and can have – an ecosystem that meets those needs while also fostering AI innovation.”
