In an effort to safeguard the US from foreign threats, the Biden administration is taking steps to protect its artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This includes implementing safeguards around advanced AI models and encouraging innovation while addressing the risks associated with this technology.
Government and private sector researchers are increasingly concerned about the potential for adversaries to use these models for cyberattacks or the production of powerful biological weapons. To address this risk, policymakers in Washington have proposed legislation to impose export controls on AI models and empower the Commerce Department to prevent collaboration on AI systems that pose risks to national security.
The Department of Homeland Security has also warned about the potential use of AI by cyber actors to develop tools for more effective cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. China and other adversaries are developing AI technologies that could undermine US cyber defenses, heightening the need for increased protection measures.
Researchers are also studying the intersection of AI and bioweapons, with large language models (LLMs) potentially providing information that aids in the development of biological weapons. The US intelligence community, think tanks, and academics are actively working in this area, but it remains a significant threat to national security.
Despite efforts to ban and remove deepfakes, their effectiveness in policing such content varies. Researchers are also concerned about the risks posed by advanced AI capabilities in creating disinformation spread through social media platforms. As AI continues to evolve, policymakers are working to mitigate these risks and protect American technology from foreign threats while encouraging innovation in areas such as drug discovery, national security, and infrastructure.
