The United States is exploring new paths in its digital information policies. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has announced that her department is researching how to compel cloud computing firms to report any attempts by foreign users to develop models for artificial intelligence (AI). According to Raimondo, the Commerce Department has already begun the process of enforcing these requirements.
Raimondo did not name any specific countries or firms in her announcement, though it comes amid growing concerns around technology developments involving foreign entities. Previously, the US Commerce Department has pursued export controls focused particularly on China, aiming to limit access to advanced semiconductors. The proposed measures with cloud computing firms seem to follow a similar trend, with the computing power of prominent platforms like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft’s Azure, and Google Cloud being the focal points.
The Biden administration has been vocal about its concerns around the development of AI and other next-generation technologies by China, viewing Beijing as its primary global strategic competitor. “We want to make sure we shut down every avenue that the Chinese could have to get access to our models or to train their own models,” Raimondo said in a previous interview.
This move towards new requirements on cloud computing firms comes as separate antitrust inquiry into their AI partnerships is in progress by the Federal Trade Commission. Regulating the use of cloud platforms for AI development relates not just to national security interests but also to economic factors. American cloud providers have previously expressed concerns that unilateral restrictions could disadvantage them in the face of foreign users unless comparable measures are taken by allied countries.
As it seems, the situation around AI development is becoming more complex and requiring more intricate measures. The reactions of the tech giants in question—Amazon, Google, and Microsoft—on these potential new regulations will certainly be a point to watch closely.
For more detailed information, do refer to the original report by Bloomberg on this matter.