I saw that President Biden issued a National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The recent National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence, introduced by President Biden, is a framework focused on leveraging AI for U.S. national security while ensuring safe, ethical, and internationally aligned development. This memorandum builds on prior U.S. efforts to secure a leading position in AI and to safeguard the nation from adversarial use of AI, aligning closely with the broader executive order on AI policy oai_citation:4,Reactions Mostly Positive to National Security AI Memo oai_citation:3,Implications of Biden’s national security memorandum for artificial intelligence – R Street Institute.
The NSM outlines three primary goals:
- Leadership in Safe AI Development: The U.S. aims to maintain a dominant position in AI by securing critical supply chains (like those for AI hardware) and establishing the AI Safety Institute as a central resource for cybersecurity in AI applications. The Department of Commerce will play a role in overseeing these initiatives.
- Advancing National Security through AI: AI applications are being developed specifically for defense and intelligence purposes, ensuring their use aligns with democratic values. The NSM also includes risk management practices for high-stakes uses, such as military systems, to mitigate unintended harm.
- International Collaboration on AI Governance: The memorandum encourages global cooperation to establish a governance framework for responsible AI use, especially among allied nations. This includes sharing standards and preventing misuse in a way that respects international law oai_citation:2,Reactions Mostly Positive to National Security AI Memo oai_citation:1,What’s in Biden’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence? | Lawfare.
These steps are designed to balance the rapid development of AI technology with security, ethical, and human rights considerations. The NSM indicates an intention to work closely with the private sector, recognizing its crucial role in AI innovation, while actively involving federal agencies like the Department of Defense to bolster national security capabilities.