Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more prevalent in all of our lives. It powers all kinds of tools, from the digital assistants that answer questions on your phone, to breakthroughs in reading X-rays to better spot cancers. The so-called “intelligence” is the result of powerful computers sorting through mountains of data to find patterns, using algorithms designed and optimized by computer scientists.
Like all technology, AI is far from perfect. As we have started using AI for consequential decisions, we have realized that while AI can improve decision making, it too often compounds historical patterns of bias and deepens existing inequality. AI’s reliance on biased data or design processes has led to systems that produce discriminatory, or otherwise harmful, outcomes.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy is engaged in understanding the extraordinary promise of AI as well as its pitfalls. OSTP’s National AI Initiative Office (NAIIO) helps coordinate Federal activities in AI across government. OSTP is co-chairing the National AI Research Resource Task Force to answer Congress’s call to propose a vision for equitably expanding the research community’s access to the computing power, data, and testbed resources necessary to do AI research. OSTP has issued a call for the development of an AI Bill of Rights, and is working closely with both domestic and international partners across bilateral and multilateral venues to advance development, adoption, and oversight of AI in a manner that aligns with our democratic values.