Last year, The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced that the US needs a rights bill for the age of algorithms. Harm from artificial intelligence disproportionate impact on disadvantaged communities, director and deputy director of the office wrote in an op-ed with WIREDand therefore government guidance is needed to protect people against discriminatory or ineffective AI.
OSTP released its Blueprint for the AI Bill of Rights today, after collecting input from companies like Microsoft and Palantir as well as AI Auditing Startup, human rights groups and the public. Its five principles state that people have the right to control how their data is used, opt out of automated decision-making, be unaffected by ineffective or unsafe algorithms, know when the AI is making decisions about them and not being discriminated against by unfair algorithms.
Alondra Nelson, OSTP Deputy Director for Science and Society, told WIRED: “Technologies will come and go, but fundamental freedoms, rights, opportunities and access need to be unleashed, and It’s the government’s job to help make sure that’s the case. “This is the White House saying that workers, students, consumers, communities, everyone in this country should expect and demand better from our technologies.”
However, unlike the better known US Bill of Rights, which includes the first 10 amendments to the constitution, the AI version will not have the force of law — it’s a non-binding white paper.
The White House blueprint for AI rights is primarily aimed at the federal government. It will change the way algorithms are used only if it directs how government agencies absorb and deploy AI technology, or helps parents, workers, policymakers or designers. raises tough questions about AI systems. It has no power over the big tech companies that are arguably the most powerful in shaping the implementation of machine learning and AI technology.
The document released today resembles a series of AI ethical principles released by companies, nonprofits, democratic governments, and governments. even the Catholic church In recent years. Their tenets are often on the right track, using words like transparent, explainableand reliablebut they lack teeth and are too vague to make a difference in people’s daily lives.
OSTP’s Nelson said the AI Blueprint for the Bill of Rights differs from previous summaries of AI principles because it is intended to be translated directly into practice. Nelson says that last year the listening sessions were aimed at taking the project beyond the ambiguity. “We also understand that principles are not enough,” says Nelson. “This is really just an upfront payment. It is just the beginning and the beginning”.
OSTP received emails from about 150 people about its project and heard from about 130 other individuals, businesses and organizations who responded to requests for information earlier this year. The final design is intended to protect people from discrimination based on race, religion, age or any other class protected by law. It expanded the definition of gender to include “pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions”, a change made in response to public concern about abortion data security.
