By Jessica Davis, HealthIT Security | May 3, 2019
NIST released a request for information this week seeking industry comment on how to begin developing technical standards and related tools around artificial intelligence to fulfill a February federal executive order to develop an AI plan within 180 days.
The Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in AI directed NIST to create guidelines that will support systems using AI. Officials said they want stakeholders to share information that will help NIST better understand the current state of AI, as well as challenges and opportunities.
Further, by consulting with the private sector, federal agencies, and other industry stakeholders, NIST also hopes to gain a better sense of priority areas. Privacy and security are key elements of the RFI, as the executive order outlined the need for AI to foster public trust and protect the privacy of citizens.
“Technical standards and guidance are needed to establish and advance trustworthy aspects (e.g. accuracy, transparency, security, privacy, and robustness) of AI technologies,” the RFI stated. “Continued American leadership in AI is of paramount importance to maintaining the economic and national security of the United States and to shaping the global evolution of AI in a manner consistent with our Nation’s values, policies, and priorities.”
According to Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Walter Copan, industry stakeholder input is crucial to inform the development of the AI plan.
Specifically, NIST is asking for comment on the current status and plans around the use, availability, and development of AI standards, as well as tools that will support reliable AI systems. Further, industry stakeholders can comment on both the needs and challenges around AI standards availability, use, and development.
Lastly, NIST is seeking comment on the current and potential role of federal agencies to meet the needs of developing AI standards and tools.
“For purposes of this plan, AI technologies and systems are considered to be comprised of software and/or hardware that can learn to solve complex problems, make predictions or solve tasks that require human-like sensing (such as vision, speech, and touch), perception, cognition, planning, learning, communication, or physical action,” according to the RFI.
Industry stakeholders can comment on current AI technical standards and tools that have been development and the name of the developing organization, as well as whether it effectively addressed sector-specific needs or if it can be used across sectors.
NIST also seeks insight on reliable data sources on the availability and use of AI standards and tools, in addition to the industry need and how those needs should be determined. Lastly, commenters can shed light on what technical standards and guidance are needed to establish and advance the trustworthy aspects of AI.
“NIST has a long history of cultivating trust in technologies through advancing the measurement science and standards that make technologies more secure, usable, interoperable and reliable,” said Copan, said in a statement. “As AI continues to change the way we live and work, robust standards will help ensure understanding and validation of these rapidly evolving technologies.”
All comments must be in to NIST by May 31 and relevant comments will be posted here. NIST will host a webcast and workshop on May 30 to promote further AI discussions.