The White House issued its first national security memorandum outlining the use of artificial intelligence for the military and intelligence agencies, also sharing a shortened copy of the memo with the public. This new directive sets guidelines for military and intelligence agencies on utilizing AI in their daily operations, including deadlines for studying applications and regulations that will expire after President Biden’s term. The memo aims to prevent dystopian possibilities like autonomous weapons and was announced by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan during a talk at the National Defense University, emphasizing the importance of examining AI technology’s benefits and risks, especially in comparison to China’s control and misinformation efforts. It establishes restrictions on AI usage regarding weapons systems, such as not allowing AI to make decisions on launching nuclear weapons or assigning asylum status, tracking individuals based on race or religion, or labeling suspects as terrorists without human intervention. Additionally, the memorandum safeguards private-sector AI advances as national assets that must be protected from foreign espionage or theft, instructing intelligence agencies to assist private companies in securing their work and providing updated intelligence reports to safeguard their AI assets.
