In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), the concept of ‘best practices’ might be taking its first form. Seven leading AI development firms have voluntarily decided to conduct eight specific commitments. Revealed in a ceremony at the White House on July 21, 2023, these commitments aim to drive safety, security, and trust in AI technology’s future.
As detailed on the website of global law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, the principles stem from needs identified by the current administration to embed safety, security, and trust into the developing landscape of AI technology. The focus of these principles is to mitigate the potential risks associated with AI.
- Safety: There’s an increasing realization of AI’s potential risks, and there’s a need to align technology with human values. To that end, the developers have committed to integrating safety considerations throughout the AI system lifecycle.
- Security: As cyber threats continue to evolve, securing AI software and systems is becoming a growing concern. These included commitments focus on hardening AI systems against malicious misuse and unintended negative consequences.
- Trust: The commitments in this area target fostering transparency and accountability in AI. Developers agree to incorporate robust and reproducible techniques where possible, providing explanations about AI behavior and decisions, and enabling human oversight.
While these commitments are voluntarily agreed to by these industry leaders, their adoption signals a recognition within the AI field that its future prosperity may depend on built-in trust and a commitment to safety. It may pave the way for other firms to align with these practices and pave the way to globally accepted industry ‘best practices’.