Commerce Department Announces National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee

https://depositphotos.com/8265106/stock-photo-birth-of-artificial-intelligence.htmlThe U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Wednesday that it has established a National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Committee that will advise the President and other federal agencies on issues surrounding AI. The Committee will work with the existing National AI Initiative Office (NAIIO) in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

While AI has been a hot topic in the intellectual property community recently for the issues it poses for inventorship and IP law, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said the Committee will be largely focused on some of the other kinds of challenges AI presents. “That includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that President Biden’s comprehensive commitment to advancing equity and racial justice extends to our development and use of AI technology,” Raimondo said in a press release.

Eric Lander, White House Science Advisor and OSTP Director, added: “We have seen major advances in the design, development, and use of AI, especially in the past several years. We must be sure that these advances are matched by similar progress in ensuring that AI is trustworthy, and that it ensures fairness and protections for civil rights.”

According to the Federal Register Notice about the Committee, the members shall make recommendations on a number of issues, including the state of U.S. competitiveness and leadership in AI; the state of the science around AI; AI and the U.S. workforce; opportunities to collaborate with international allies on AI “research activities, standards development, and the compatibility of international regulations”; and how AI can enhance opportunities for “diverse geographic regions of the United States, including urban, Tribal, and rural communities.”

A subcommittee established by the Committee’s Chairperson will also provide advice to the President on AI in law enforcement, including AI technologies’ impact on bias, data security, adoptability and legal standards.

The Committee will submit a report on its findings to the President and a number of congressional committees one year after the date of enactment, and at least once every three years thereafter, via the Secretary of Commerce. The Secretary will also appoint committee members, of which there will be no fewer than nine.

Nominations are currently being sought for members from “academic institutions, companies across diverse sectors, nonprofit and civil society entities, including civil rights and disability rights organizations, and Federal laboratories, who represent geographic diversity, and who are qualified to provide advice and information on science and technology research, development, ethics, standards, education, technology transfer, commercial application, security, and economic competitiveness related to artificial intelligence.”

The Committee members will serve three-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms at the discretion of the Secretary. The Secretary of Commerce will appoint the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson from among the members, and these positions will last two years.

Nominations must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 25, 2021 to the addresses below, or via email to alicia.chambers@nist.gov and melissa.banner@nist.gov.

Alicia Chambers

Committee Liaison Officer, National Institute of Standards and Technology

100 Bureau Drive, MS 1000

Gaithersburg, MD 20899 and

 

Melissa Banner

Designated Federal Officer, National Institute of Standards and Technology

100 Bureau Drive, MS 1000

Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

 

 

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  • [Avatar for Anon]
    Anon
    September 9, 2021 08:28 am

    And yet more virtue signaling.

    No thank you.