The U.S. Department of Commerce is poised to lead in the development of safe and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced key members of the executive leadership team of the U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI), which will be established at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).
The role of the institute, established under NIST at the direction of President Biden, is to support the responsibilities assigned to the Department of Commerce under the President's landmark Executive Order. The appointment of Elizabeth Kelly as the inaugural Director and Elham Tabassi as Chief Technology Officer marks a significant step towards mitigating the risks associated with the development of this technology, enabling us to fully realize its potential.
Elizabeth Kelly, currently Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, has led the Administration's efforts on financial regulation and technology policies, including AI intervention. Her experience includes promoting competition, protecting privacy, and supporting workers and consumers, as well as leading Administration engagement with allies and partners on AI governance.
Elham Tabassi, currently Associate Director for Emerging Technologies at NIST's Information Technology Laboratory, led the development of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, a voluntary tool that supports better management of AI-related risks. Her role will be crucial in shaping NIST's efforts and the broader AI community to conduct research, develop guidance, and evaluate AI models to identify and mitigate security risks.
The institute will have the ambitious task of developing guidelines, evaluating models, and pursuing fundamental research vital to addressing the risks and seizing the opportunities of AI. This commitment underscores the crucial role of the United States in promoting globally responsible AI innovations.
Conclusion: The appointment of key leaders for the U.S. AI Safety Institute represents a fundamental step towards promoting responsible AI development in the United States and globally. The U.S. Department of Commerce, under the leadership of Secretary Gina Raimondo, is committed to ensuring that AI is used safely, securely, and responsibly for the benefit of all.
This announcement reflects the growing recognition of the risks and opportunities presented by AI and underscores the importance of promoting global leadership in defining guidelines and standards for AI safety.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute, led by high-level experts such as Elizabeth Kelly and Elham Tabassi, is positioned to play a crucial role in developing policies, guidelines, and standards that ensure AI is developed and used responsibly and safely.
Glossary
- AI (Artificial Intelligence): Technology that enables a computer or machine to mimic human intelligence.
- NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology): U.S. agency responsible for developing and applying technology standards.
- Executive Director: The executive responsible for the organization and activities of an institution.
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO): The senior executive responsible for defining and implementing the technology strategy within a company or organization.
