Under President Biden's guidance, the U.S. Department of Commerce is in the process of forming the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI) in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). USAISI's central mission is to spearhead the US government's endeavours concerning AI safety and trust, with a particular emphasis on the evaluation of advanced AI models. The institute will be responsible for creating standards related to the safety, security, and testing of AI models, as well as establishing protocols for verifying AI-generated content. Additionally, it will furnish research environments for the assessment of emerging AI risks.

NIST, at the helm of USAISI, will cooperate with a diverse range of stakeholders, encompassing academia, industry, government, and civil society, to propel efforts in AI safety. It will also engage in coordination with comparable institutions in friendly nations and partner nations, like the UK's AI Safety Institute.

Why does this matter?

This announcement aligns with the participation of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in the AI Safety Summit 2023 in the UK, where she was alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. The creation of USAISI reflects the US government's dedication to managing AI-related risks and leveraging the advantages of AI while ensuring responsible and secure development.