MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – President Trump signed an executive order earlier in the month, allowing the federal government to vet national security risks of artificial intelligence systems before their planned release.
The executive order gives AI developers the option to undergo these evaluations.
“I think this should give Alabamians confidence that the government is concerned about the security of AI but still wants us to remain competitive internationally and provide the best benefits to society,” said Aaron Wright, Chief AI Officer with Alabama’s Office of Information Technology. “If the federal government can better understand these types of risks, and help protect from some of these dangers, they could bring, it can help protect the services Alabamians depend on.”
Wright said the state focuses on services including transportation, education, public safety and healthcare; sectors that are increasingly exploring possible benefits of artificial intelligence.
He said the federal government focuses their efforts on national and cyber security.
“[The federal government doesn’t] want to limit the innovation of these models – they want to make sure they’re protected,” he said. “[Alabamians are] not going to see a change in how they use it at home, school or at work. The impact is more about the security of these newest models and the risks that they can get.”
The executive order gives the federal government 30 days to evaluate security risks on these AI platforms, and the White House has said the order does not establish a mandatory governmental licensing requirement for AI development.
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