One of the White House's leading federal tech agencies has announced a working group to regulate generative artificial intelligence.
The Commerce Department announced on Thursday that the National Institute of Standards and Technology was launching a working group to properly understand and address the legal and regulatory problems around generative AI like ChatGPT. The working group is an extension of NIST's AI Risk Management Framework. The gesture is notable as several of the largest AI developers, like Google, are looking to NIST to set the standard for future AI regulation in the future.
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"This new group is especially timely considering the unprecedented speed, scale, and potential impact of generative A.I. and its potential to revolutionize many industries and society more broadly," NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio said in a press statement. "We want to identify and develop tools to understand better and manage those risks, and we hope to attract broad participation in this new group."
NIST was mentioned in several public comments filed by leading AI developers after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration requested input on how best to pursue AI accountability. NIST was mentioned several times by Google and others as their preferred agency to oversee AI regulation due to its past work on the Risk Management Framework. The agency lacks any authority to enforce rules, however.
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NIST is not the only one pursuing AI regulation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced a new five-point framework for writing AI-related laws on Wednesday and planned to host forums to ensure the legislative branch properly understands AI. Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Ken Buck (R-CO) introduced legislation to form a commission on AI.