In his first major address on artificial intelligence (AI) as President of the United States, Joe Biden declared that AI must be leveraged to account for human safety and security on a global scale.
Speaking at the White House on Friday, President Biden said AI provides humanity with a rare window of opportunity to reflect on how technology will evolve and impact the world. At the same time, he warned of the “profound moral, ethical, and economic questions raised by current and potential AI technologies”.
The President said that risks posed to safety from AI are “real and growing and must be managed”. He framed the issue of risk as one which requires accountability for innovation, for both private and public actors. This accountability includes appropriate transparency, scrutiny and oversight of AI products, projects and activities.
At the same time, the President was clear that “responsible development” of AI is necessary to make society better. Biden highlighted the potential for AI to “enhance our capabilities and reduce the risk of human error”. He argued that the applications of AI should be focused on emergent technologies such as healthcare, transportation and climate change.
The President further noted that the United States needs to be at the forefront of AI technology and innovation. To compete and to remain a leader in the field, he called on the United States to continue to invest in research, development and adoption of AI technology.
In conclusion, Biden said the United States will remain a global leader in AI if leaders can find the right balance between safety, security and innovation. He stated this will “require responsible international engagement” and that “our nation must take on a leadership role to shape and guide the use of AI in a responsible and secure manner.”
