The White House recently released a new memorandum detailing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in national security. This memorandum is a result of an executive order focused on AI, signed by President Joe Biden last year.

In addition to issuing the memorandum, the order has initiated several machine learning initiatives aimed at enhancing the security of AI. One such initiative will leverage this technology to detect and fix vulnerabilities in critical software.

AI Writing

Image source note: The image was generated by AI, provided by the image licensing service Midjourney

A key focus of the memorandum is the government's procurement of AI technologies for national security tasks. Federal agencies will be required to streamline the procurement process in this area, particularly by prioritizing the purchase of interoperable products. This will make the setup of technology products more efficient, saving considerable time and effort.

The memorandum also calls on agencies to prioritize AI when constructing government supercomputers. In recent years, some supercomputers commissioned by the government, including cutting-edge systems, have been equipped with graphics processors to accelerate machine learning workloads. The memorandum explicitly states that AI should also be prioritized in the development of other emerging technology systems.

It is worth noting that many of the initiatives in the memorandum emphasize collaboration with the private sector. The White House points out that the memorandum directs the government to take steps to improve the security and diversity of the chip supply chain. Additionally, the document elevates the detection of espionage activities against the U.S. AI industry to a "top intelligence priority."

The White House further states that the document "requires relevant U.S. government agencies to provide timely cybersecurity and counterintelligence information to AI developers to ensure the safety of their inventions." The memorandum also covers several other areas, directing the government to collaborate with allies to develop an international framework that ensures the safety, reliability, and trustworthiness of AI systems. It also calls for the National Economic Council to prepare an assessment of the competitiveness of the U.S. AI industry.

Along with the release of the memorandum, the White House also unveiled a framework providing guidance to federal agencies on how to implement the new requirements. The document covers multiple topics, including how officials should handle AI risks. Finally, the memorandum emphasizes that the government will increase its support for the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource initiative, which aims to provide scientists with the necessary computational infrastructure, datasets, and other resources needed for AI research.

Key Points:

🌟 The memorandum emphasizes simplifying the procurement process for AI technologies and promoting product interoperability.

🤝 The government will collaborate with the private sector to enhance the security and diversity of the chip supply chain.

🔍 Strengthen the monitoring of espionage activities against the U.S. AI industry to ensure technological security.