As per recent report by Washington Post, leading technology company Google has recommended that the federal government distribute the responsibility of overseeing AI tools across multiple agencies instead of establishing a singular regulator specifically for the purpose.
The company suggests that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory agency within the Commerce Department, should take charge of issuing technical guidance to other agencies on how to manage the risks associated with AI. Google’s proposal was made in response to a request for comment by the Commerce Department, which sought inputs on the subject of “AI accountability.”
Explaining the proposal, Google’s President of Global Affairs, Kent Walker, referred to it as a “hub-and-spoke model” that would be more effective in navigating the diverse applications of AI across different parts of the economy, compared to a uniform approach relying on a single dedicated agency.
We think that AI is going to affect so many different sectors, we need regulators who understand the unique nuances in each of those areas, said Walker.
OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman recently testified before Congress and spoke about the need for regulations to govern the development and deployment of large artificial intelligence (AI) models. One of his proposals was to establish a federal agency tasked with licensing these models. Microsoft’s President Brad Smith expressed support for Altman’s proposal, stating that a new government agency would be best suited to implement new rules for “highly capable AI foundation models.” Additionally, Smith put forward the idea of implementing “safety brakes” for AI systems that control critical infrastructure.
Google’s Vice President of Global Affairs, Kent Walker, stated that while the concept of licensing large AI models is worth exploring, the federal government should adopt a more comprehensive approach to AI regulation that considers all sectors and agencies.
NIST is capable of spearheading the movement given its noteworthy contributions to the field. The government will require specialized technical experts who possess considerable knowledge and understanding regarding the functioning of the models, opined Walker.
Via Washington Post
