Weekly Policy Summaries, September 9, 2024 Edition
AI Regulation: A Global Perspective
Let's dive into the latest developments in the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on the U.S., China, and international agreements concerning military applications.
U.S. Bipartisan AI Bills and Recent Actions
The U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has been actively pushing for AI regulation, particularly focusing on national security and technological leadership. Recently, they passed the "TAKE IT DOWN Act" with overwhelming bipartisan support, targeting non-consensual deepfake imagery. Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill has been introduced that would direct the National Security Agency (NSA) to develop an "AI security playbook."
In addition to legislative action, the NSA's Artificial Intelligence Security Center has issued joint guidance on AI data security, including measures such as digital signatures for authentication, data provenance tracking, and use of trusted infrastructure. U.S. tech giants are making significant investments in AI infrastructure, with Amazon alone announcing a $20 billion investment in AI data centers.
Reporting Requirements for Frontier AI Developers
The U.S. Department of Commerce has proposed a new reporting requirement for leading AI developers and cloud providers. Under this proposed rule, developers of frontier AI models and computing clusters would be required to provide detailed reporting to the federal government on various aspects, including developmental activities, cybersecurity measures, and results from stress-testing efforts.
China’s AI Security Governance Framework
China has established its own AI security governance framework, focusing on state control, data security, and technological sovereignty. This framework is often cited as a motivator for U.S. legislative actions aimed at protecting American technology and security interests.
International Agreement on AI Use in Military Applications
Sixty countries, including the U.S., France, Germany, and Ukraine, have endorsed a blueprint for action governing the use of AI in military applications. The guidelines affirm that AI's military applications will be "ethical and human-centric." However, it's important to note that China has not endorsed this document at this time.
In summary, these developments in AI regulation reflect a growing recognition of the transformative potential of AI and the need for coordinated, responsible regulation at both national and international levels. The U.S. and China are currently engaged in a technological race, each developing its own governance frameworks and security measures, while there is a push for international norms and agreements, particularly regarding military AI, to ensure that advances do not destabilize global security.
- The U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is actively promoting research on the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), with a specific focus on national security and technological leadership.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) legislation in the U.S. is not limited to bills, as the National Security Agency (NSA) has also issued joint guidance on AI data security.
- In addition to the U.S. and China, sixty countries have endorsed a policy-and-legislation blueprint for action governing the use of AI in military applications, emphasizing ethical and human-centric applications.
- The Chinese government, in its focus on state control, data security, and technological sovereignty, has established its own AI security governance framework, often drawing attention in global AI policy-and-legislation discussions.
