The multiple roles governments play in technology adoption (user, regulator, educator, et al) has caused many governments to appear a bit like a deer in headlights when considering how artificial intelligence (AI) fits into their plans. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has recently released guidelines for federal agencies when considering their regulatory role. Basically, the guidelines say 'when considering how you regulate organizations using AI, be as flexible as possible.' This is good news for regulated organizations who understandably want to know how aggressive they can be with adopting AI to improve their operations and customer service.
In addition to this general philosophical guidance, OMB has described ten principles for agencies considering regulations around the use of AI. I can see regulatory discussions using these ten principles as the structure for the public discussion and evaluation of all new and revised regulations for things like health care, food & consumer product safety, and more when AI will become more and more prevalent. We are starting to see progress in all the broader governmental and societal ways that AI needs to be adopted and integrated into our lives . . .
“Agencies must avoid a precautionary approach that holds AI systems to such an impossibly high standard that society cannot enjoy their benefits,” OMB officials wrote. “Where AI entails risk, agencies should consider the potential benefits and costs of employing AI, when compared to the systems AI has been designed to complement or replace.”
