The White House may soon introduce an executive order to review new artificial intelligence models before they go public. This move aims to ensure safety and security in AI development.
The proposed order suggests that AI companies voluntarily share their advanced models with the government for a short period before launch. Sources indicate a potential review period of up to 90 days, though many companies prefer a quicker, 14-day review.
Major players in AI, such as OpenAI and Anthropic, are engaging with the White House regarding this order. These companies understand the significance of early reviews, especially since powerful AI can amplify cyber threats. Experts highlight that assessing AI tools in advance could help prevent misuse in the future.
This draft order has two main sections. One is focused on cybersecurity, while the other addresses “covered frontier models,” which specifies the types of AI needing government review. The cybersecurity section proposes forming a “clearinghouse” within the Treasury Department to identify and address vulnerabilities in unlaunched AI models. It also advocates for hiring more engineers in the U.S. Tech Force to modernize government systems.
Interestingly, the previous administration took a more relaxed stance on AI regulation. However, after Anthropic revealed its Mythos model, which can identify security weaknesses at an astonishing speed, the need for regulation became more apparent. Anthropic has not made this model broadly accessible, opting instead to grant access to a select group of companies through its Project Glasswing.
In another related development, the National Institute of Standards and Technology announced that tech companies will share unreleased AI models for safety evaluations. However, this announcement was recently removed from their website, raising questions about transparency and accountability in AI development.
As AI continues to evolve, the conversation around its regulation remains vital. Looking to the future, balancing innovation with safety will be crucial for government and tech companies alike.
