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Trump Signs Executive Order To Boost AI Research, Development

Source: The Hill

February 12 2019

USA

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize the development of artificial intelligence (AI), reports the Hill (Washington, D.C.).

The executive order, designated Accelerating America’s Leadership in Artificial Intelligence, calls for federal agencies to increase funding for AI research and development; prioritize AI fellowship and training programs; and make government data available for AI developers, a senior administration official said on Sunday.

The initiative, which was formalized on Monday, lays out five priorities: research and development; infrastructure; governance to ensure the safe and ethical use of AI; workforce; and international engagement. 

The order will address ethical concerns surrounding AI, such as the displacement of human workers and the lack of official standards and regulations, officials said.

Under the order, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been directed to develop a set of national standards for creating “reliable, robust, trustworthy, secure, portable and interoperable AI systems.”

The move comes as Washington seeks to gain a technological advantage over China, which has heavily invested in AI in recent years.

The administration has provided few details, saying only that it will assign federal agencies specific timelines for "deliverables" and provide more information over the next six months, reported Science magazine.

Experts have expressed unease about the order's focus on industry and say that its passing mentions of privacy and civil liberties don't alleviate concerns given the administration's poor track record on such issues.

Separately, the Pentagon is expected to release its inaugural AI strategy this month, according to government sources cited by Defense One last week. The strategy is expected to focus on near-term, operational applications and building an AI-ready workforce.

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