NTIA Seeks Feedback on Benefits, Risks, Policies for Open-Weight AI Models

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is seeking feedback on how open-weight artificial intelligence models affect the U.S. economy, national securities and communities.

According to the NTIA, open-weight AI models allow developers to build on existing work, therefore broadening AI tools’ capabilities and availability to smaller organizations and individuals. Through its request for comments, the agency wants to know about potential risks, benefits and policy recommendations that could be applied to open-weight AI models.

Some of the comments being solicited are on the different openness levels of AI models, the benefits and risks of making different model weights available and ways the U.S. government can support or restrict AI model weight availability.

The request for comments is in line with the Biden administration’s AI executive order, which requires the NTIA to look into the benefits, risks and policies associated with dual-use models. Responses are due a month after the request for comment is posted on the Federal Register, the NTIA said Wednesday.

The request for comments comes after the NTIA launched a public consultation in December on the benefits and consequences of an open AI model ecosystem. During the consultation, NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson shared that the inquiry will look into policies that promote safer and more open access to AI in early 2024.

In April, the agency solicited comments from commercial and academic stakeholders on AI trustworthiness.