200 companies in US consortium to address AI safety concerns

The US government on Thursday unveiled a consortium of more 200 entities, including top AI companies, to bolster the safe development and deployment of generative AI.

The companies have pledged their commitment to the newly formed collective titled US AI Safety Institute Consortium, or AISIC, said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, according to Reuters.

The consortium boasts an impressive roster of industry giants such as OpenAI, Google (under Alphabet), Anthropic, and Microsoft, alongside Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), Apple, Amazon.com, Nvidia, Palantir, Intel, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America.

"The US government has a significant role to play in setting the standards and developing the tools we need to mitigate the risks and harness the immense potential of artificial intelligence," Raimondo said.

According to the Commerce department, the consortium stands as the most extensive assembly of test and evaluation teams, with a primary focus on establishing the groundwork for a "new measurement science in AI safety."

The consortium has been assigned the responsibility of addressing key priorities outlined in President Joe Biden’s October AI executive order, which spoke about the development of guidelines for red-teaming, capability evaluations, risk management, safety and security protocols, and watermarking synthetic content.

Biden's directive mandates agencies to establish testing standards and tackle associated risks in areas such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and cybersecurity.

Red-teaming, a strategy with roots in cybersecurity, has long been utilised to detect emerging risks. Originating from US Cold War simulations, the term "red team" was coined to represent the enemy.

In December, the Commerce Department initiated the initial phase of drafting essential standards and guidelines for the secure deployment and testing of AI technology. However, despite numerous high-level forums and legislative proposals, as well as Biden's proactive stance, efforts in Congress to pass legislation in this direction have yielded little.

The order promulgated last year entrusted several US departments, such as Homeland Security and Defense, to come up with rules and regulations with respect to the technology that has stoked concerns about its potential misuse across the world.

"The rapid speed at which AI capabilities are advancing compels the United States to lead in this moment for the sake of our security, economy, and society," Biden said in the order.