Vice President Harris outlines new guidelines for the usage of AI technology by federal entities.

Travelers should not have to worry about their travel plans being delayed or jeopardized by refusing face recognition scans at airport security checks by the end of the year.

The Biden administration claims to be implementing these and other real AI protections throughout the US government as a crucial first step in preventing government misuse of AI. The action may also serve to indirectly control the AI sector by using the government's enormous purchasing power.

Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled new, legally-mandatory guidelines for US agencies on Thursday with the goal of preventing AI from being applied in an unfair manner. The regulations are intended to encompass a wide range of scenarios, from TSA inspections to other agency choices that impact Americans' housing, work, and health care.

Agencies utilizing AI technologies will need to confirm that they do not jeopardize the rights and security of the American people in accordance with the regulations that go into effect on December 1. Each agency will also be required to post a public list of all the AI systems it employs, along with a risk assessment of those systems and a description of why it utilizes them.

Federal agencies are also required by the new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulation to appoint a chief AI officer who will supervise the agency's use of the technology.

Harris told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday that "leaders from governments, civil society, and the private sector have a moral, ethical, and societal duty to ensure that artificial intelligence is adopted and advanced in a way that protects the public from potential harm, while ensuring everyone is able to enjoy its full benefit." According to her, the Biden administration wants the measures to act as a template for other countries.

The federal government is rapidly using AI technologies, as seen by the statements made on Thursday. Machine learning is already being used by US agencies to track wildfires, count species captured in drone photos, and monitor activity on volcanoes throughout the world. There are hundreds more use cases being developed. The Department of Homeland Security said this week that it will be using artificial intelligence (AI) more extensively for training immigration agents, safeguarding vital infrastructure, and conducting investigations into narcotics and child abuse.

OMB Director Shalanda Young stated that restrictions on the US government's use of AI can improve the efficacy of public services. She also stated that the agency is starting a nationwide talent drive to employ "at least" 100 AI specialists by this summer.

Young emphasized the agency reporting obligations and added, "More transparency will support these new requirements." "AI offers enormous opportunities to enhance public services and advance equitable economic opportunities while also posing risks, such as mitigating climate change and promoting public health."

The Biden administration has responded quickly to address a technology that, while experts believe might lead to improved railroad safety or the discovery of new medical treatments, could also be exploited to target minorities or create biological weapons.