The current US position on AI is comprised of several key elements: Executive Orders from 2019 and 2020, guidance from the Office of Management and Budget, recommendations from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and initiatives established by the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act.
A core focus is promoting American leadership and competitiveness in AI, while also protecting civil liberties, privacy, and American values. The US has endorsed the OECD AI Principles and is a founding member of the Global Partnership on AI. However, the country lacks comprehensive national AI legislation or a dedicated AI regulatory body.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing a voluntary AI risk management framework to address risks in the design, development, use, and evaluation of AI systems. This aims to create guidelines that can evolve along with the technology.
On transparency and accountability, the US has taken some steps but lacks overarching requirements. There is no general law establishing a right to algorithmic transparency. Some states like California have passed laws requiring disclosure of AI use in certain contexts. Federal agencies like the FTC have issued guidance on AI transparency but enforcement has been limited.
Public participation in AI policymaking has increased recently. Agencies like NIST and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy have sought public input on AI-related initiatives. However, some processes, like those of the National Security Commission on AI, have faced criticism for lack of transparency.
Facial recognition technology has faced growing scrutiny and opposition in the US. Several cities and states have banned or restricted its use, especially by law enforcement. Federal legislation has been proposed to regulate facial recognition but has not passed. Some companies like Facebook have voluntarily limited their facial recognition systems.
On human rights, the US has historically ranked high but Freedom House noted some erosion of democratic institutions in recent years. The White House has announced plans to develop an "AI Bill of Rights" to protect democratic values, though details are still forthcoming.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023