Technology Experts Express Concern About Vacuum in Government Leadership Roles in AI

Technology experts in the academe are worried that vacancies in key government positions related to the governance and oversight of artificial intelligence will significantly affect the ethical and safe use of AI and expose concerned agencies to systematic vulnerabilities and malicious exploitation. Former National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office Director and current AI Tennessee Initiative Director Lynne Parker suggested on Tuesday during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing the establishment of a chief AI officers council, considering that most agencies have not appointed AI officers to oversee related activities resulting to coordination problems, FCW reported.

The leadership vacuum extends to the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office, a critical role when it comes to coordinating AI policy across government. The Federal Times reported that the public sector has yet to fill up 40,000 cybersecurity roles to support the government’s safe use of AI. Stanford Law School Professor Daniel Ho recommended the creation of a multilateral research institute to allow countries to collaborate and create responsible AI use and standards.