White House AI initiative requests public feedback 
The White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) has sought public input to help decide the regulation, training, data and technology required to prepare for a future where artificial intelligence (AI) plays a bigger role. In addition, the OSTP is also conducting workshops as part of the initiative and monitoring cross-sector developments in AI. The deadline for responses is stated as 22 July.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is looking for public feedback on artificial intelligence, the office announced Monday.

Through the request for information, published in the Federal Register Monday, the office hopes to learn “how America can best prepare for the future of AI, including information about AI research and the tools, technologies, and scientific training that are needed,” U.S. Deputy CTO Ed Felten wrote in an OSTP blog post.

The solicitation is part of an ongoing White House initiative to discuss the topic. In May, the office announced plans to explore the uses and risks of AI, and since then, OSTP has hosted two workshops on AI, and another event last week.

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“What we know for sure is that AI is raising policy challenges already, such as how to make sure that the technology remains safe, controllable and predictable, even as it gets much more complex and smarter,” Felten said at the first workshop, held in May at the University of Washington. The event focused on legal and governance issues surrounding AI.

OSTP has two future workshops already on the books: one on Tuesday in Pittsburgh on Safety and Control for Artificial Intelligence, and another on July 7 in New York City on The Social and Economic Implications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in the Near-Term.

Another part of the initiative, the new National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, will also monitor AI development in the public and private sectors, and coordinate federal activity.

“Broadly, OSTP is interested in developing a view of AI across all sectors for the purpose of recommending directions for research and determining challenges and opportunities in this field,” Felten wrote.

The deadline for responses to the RFI is July 22, and comments can be submitted via the web form, fax or by snail mail. Responses can be no more than 2,000 words.

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Contact the reporter on this story via email at Samantha.Ehlinger@FedScoop.com or follow her on Twitter @samehlinger. Subscribe to the Daily Scoop to get all the federal IT news you need in your inbox every morning at fdscp.com/sign-me-on.