Kara Frederick, tech director at the Heritage Foundation, discusses the need for regulations on artificial intelligence as lawmakers and tech titans discuss the potential risks. A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlights the urgency for federal agencies to strengthen their management of artificial intelligence (AI) as the technology continues to expand within the government. However, the report reveals that several agencies have missed deadlines and failed to fully implement federally mandated requirements for AI.
According to the GAO report, although some federal agencies have taken initial steps to comply with guidance and statutory requirements, key efforts to enhance AI management have fallen behind schedule. As a result, the GAO report issues dozens of recommendations to 19 agencies, urging them to take additional steps to meet the required standards on AI. These recommendations include the development of comprehensive plans for AI application, the use of inventories to include necessary information, and the issuance of guidance on AI usage.
The report also highlights the widespread use of AI in various government agencies, with 20 out of 23 agencies reporting about 1,200 current or planned challenges or opportunities that could be addressed with AI. Examples include border surveillance through the analysis of cameras and the examination of images taken by drones. NASA and the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Health and Human Services, and State were identified as the agencies with the highest reported use cases of AI in FY 2022.
However, the GAO report also exposes shortcomings in the agencies’ reporting of their AI use. While five agencies provided comprehensive information on their AI use cases, the remaining 15 agencies either had incomplete or inaccurate data. This included missing required data elements such as the life cycle of AI or whether the AI case was releasable. The report emphasizes that without accurate inventories, the government’s management of AI will be hindered by incomplete and unreliable data.
The timing of this report coincides with ongoing discussions in Congress and the federal government regarding the regulation and implications of AI. There has been a surge in legislative efforts to address AI regulation, along with bipartisan briefings involving key tech leaders and experts. Representative Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Iowa, recently introduced a bill that aims to enforce standards for AI programs in the agricultural sector to safeguard food, fuel, and other necessities.
Furthermore, the State Department announced last month that 45 foreign governments have partnered with the U.S. to implement a declaration on the responsible military use of AI. This signifies the growing global recognition of the importance of regulating AI and ensuring its responsible application.
As AI continues to be utilized by the federal government, its usage is expected to expand significantly in the coming years. The GAO report serves as a wake-up call for agencies to prioritize the implementation of AI regulations and improve their management of this rapidly advancing technology.
In conclusion, the report highlights the need for federal agencies to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. It emphasizes the importance of accurate inventories and comprehensive planning for AI implementation, urging agencies to meet federally mandated requirements. With ongoing discussions and legislative efforts in Congress, the regulation and responsible use of AI remain key priorities for the government.
