November 2023 – Sabre88 – Precise.Swift.Solutions

Executive Order 13960, is accelerating its adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI). From the website of the department of homeland security on their AI Use Case Inventory page, ‘Pursuant to Executive Order 13960 Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government, Federal agencies are required to create and make publicly available an inventory of non-classified and non-sensitive Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases, to the extent practicable and in accordance with applicable law and policy’. Relating to the previous quote, this one from the AI.gov website’s homepage, ‘The federal government is leveraging AI to better serve the public across a wide array of use cases, including in healthcare, transportation, the environment, and benefits delivery. The federal government is also establishing strong guardrails to ensure its use of AI keeps people safe and doesn’t violate their rights’. This blog post showcases how various federal agencies are harnessing AI to better serve the public and uphold safety and rights, in accordance with established guardrails.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been a pioneer in AI usage:

FDA Emerging Chemical Hazard Intelligence Platform (ECHIP) and Warp Intelligent Learning EnginE (WILEE)

The FDA, under HHS, is leveraging AI to enhance its capacity to respond to emerging chemical hazards. By employing horizon-scanning applications and intelligent knowledge discovery platforms, ECHIP and WILEE are used to identify, aggregate, and map information related to consumed foods, ingredients, and food chemicals. The outcome is a proactive tool that accelerates decision-making, prioritizes hazards, and mitigates risks to consumers.

HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHB) AI Chatbot

To address the overwhelming volume of customer support calls, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has deployed an AI Chatbot within the Electronic Handbooks EHB system. This self-service platform, powered by the Artificial Solutions Teneo platform, resolves 90% of incoming inquiries without human intervention, allowing customer support staff to focus on more complex issues.

The General Services Administration (GSA) uses AI to expedite the Federal government’s acquisition process:

Solicitation Review Tool (SRT)

The GSA utilizes the SRT, integrating SAM.gov data for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solicitations. By employing Natural Language Processing (NLP) models, the system determines compliance language within solicitations, streamlining the review process and enhancing accuracy.

Contract Acquisition Lifecycle Intelligence (CALI)

CALI is an automated machine learning evaluation tool. It supports the Source Selection process. Streamlining the evaluation of vendor proposals, CALI analyzes format compliance, forms validation, reps & certs compliance, and requirements compliance. This tool is a testament to the GSA’s commitment to efficiency and effectiveness.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses A.I for more than just advancements in space:

Deep Learning-based Hurricane Intensity Estimator

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a web-based situational awareness tool using deep learning on satellite images to objectively estimate hurricane wind speed. This tool provides critical information for disaster preparedness and response.

Europa Ice Floe Detection (GSFC Planetary Sciences Lab)

Machine learning applied to Galileo space probe imagery enables the detection and classification of ice blocks in the chaos regions of Jupiter’s moon Europa. This project demonstrates the versatility of AI in space exploration and planetary science.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) protects the nation’s digital and physical borders with the AI assistance:

RelativityOne

DHS employs RelativityOne, a document review platform utilizing machine learning, clustering, and continuous active learning to gain efficiencies in document review in litigation and FOIA requests.

Touchless PreCheck Identity Solution

TSA, under DHS, utilizes facial comparison technology to verify passengers’ identities at security checkpoints, expediting the screening process while maintaining a high level of security.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Alerting Models

CISA employs machine learning in threat hunting and Security Operations Center (SOC) activities, allowing analysts to comb through vast amounts of log data with mathematically and probabilistically based models.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) uses AI to optimize aircraft safety systems, and may use ChatGPT in the future as a chat-bot to enhance public sentiment around pipeline construction:

JASC Code classification in Safety Difficulty Reports (SDR)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under DOT, collaborates with George Mason University to apply Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning to predict Joint Aircraft System Codes (JASC) from safety difficulty reports (SDR), enhancing safety event reporting.

PHMSA Rule Making using ChatGPT

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) utilizes ChatGPT in rulemaking processes to provide sentiment analysis, relevance analysis, synopsis creation, cataloging of comments, and identification of duplicate comments. This AI-powered initiative aims to enhance efficiency and scale efforts during public scrutiny.

The Untapped Potential

In the midst of this AI revolution within federal agencies, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are yet to fully integrate AI into their workflows. This void presents a golden opportunity for future entrepreneurs within and outside the government. By infusing AI into the operations of these agencies, entrepreneurs have the potential to revolutionize small business support, scientific research, and innovation.

The United States Federal Government’s commitment to using AI in its operations is evident across many agencies. As these initiatives unfold, they not only exemplify the transformative power of AI but also underline the government’s dedication to innovation, efficiency, and public service. At Sabre88 we believe with responsible use and continued advancements, AI is set to become an integral part of how the government fulfills its mission to the public.

Cited Sources:

https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-artificial-intelligence-select-use-cases.pdf

https://tech.gsa.gov/ai-inventory/

https://www.nasa.gov/ai-inventory/

https://www.dhs.gov/data/AI_inventory

https://data.transportation.gov/Administrative/Department-of-Transportation-Inventory-of-Artifici/anj8-k6f5

https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/open-government/ai-inventory#:~:text=Executive%20Order%20%28EO%29%2013960%2C%20Promoting%20the%20Use%20of,We%20did%20not%20identify%20any%20AI%20use%20cases

https://www.nsf.gov/data/AI_Inventory/

Photo Credit:

https://www.ccrhb.od.nih.gov/

On October 30th, the Biden Administration released a significant Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. This order underscores the importance of governing AI development and utilization safely and responsibly. In this blog, we will delve into the key aspects of this Executive Order and its implications for AI development and deployment in the United States.

1. Prioritizing Safety and Security

The administration recognizes the rapid advancements in AI capabilities and the need for the United States to lead in shaping the responsible development and deployment of AI. The order emphasizes the potential benefits of AI in solving pressing challenges while acknowledging that irresponsible AI use can lead to societal harms such as fraud, discrimination, bias, and disinformation. To address these challenges, a coordinated, government-wide approach is required, involving various stakeholders, including government, private sector, academia, and civil society.

2. Guiding Principles and Priorities

The Executive Order outlines eight guiding principles and priorities that shape the administration’s AI policy:

Safe and Secure AI: Ensuring AI systems are safe and secure, with a focus on addressing security risks in areas like biotechnology, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure.
Testing and Evaluation: Implementing testing and post-deployment performance monitoring to ensure ethical and secure AI systems that comply with Federal laws and policies.
Responsible Innovation: Promoting responsible innovation, competition, and collaboration to lead in AI development and solve societal challenges.
Workforce Development: Supporting programs to provide Americans with AI skills and attract global AI talent to contribute to American innovation.
Promoting a Fair Ecosystem: Fostering a fair, open, and competitive marketplace for AI, including measures to address unlawful collusion and dominant firms’ use of key assets.
Supporting American Workers: Ensuring that AI development creates opportunities and benefits for all workers, with a commitment to job training and education.
Equity and Civil Rights: Advancing equity and civil rights by preventing AI from exacerbating existing inequities and discrimination.
Consumer Protection and Privacy: Enforcing consumer protection laws and safeguarding privacy and civil liberties as AI continues to advance.

3. Government Action

The Executive Order specifies several actions to be taken within certain timeframes, among them here are seven of the most relevant:

Guidelines and Best Practices: Within 270 days, the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with other relevant agencies, will establish guidelines and best practices for safe, secure, and trustworthy AI system development.
AI Red-Teaming: Guidelines for AI red-teaming tests will be established to evaluate AI systems’ safety and security, particularly dual-use foundation models.
Cyber Defense: The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security will report on actions taken to develop and deploy AI capabilities effectively for cyber defense, including identifying vulnerabilities and lessons learned.
Critical Infrastructure Assessment: Agencies with regulatory authority over critical infrastructure will evaluate potential AI-related risks and ways to mitigate vulnerabilities, with a focus on cross-sector risks.
Financial Institutions: The Secretary of the Treasury will issue a public report on best practices for managing AI-specific cybersecurity risks in financial institutions.
AI Risk Management Framework: The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, will incorporate the AI Risk Management Framework and relevant security guidance into safety and security guidelines for critical infrastructure.
Mandating Guidelines: Following the completion of guidelines, the Federal Government will work to mandate them through regulatory or other appropriate action.

4. Global Leadership

The Executive Order emphasizes the importance of engaging with international allies and partners to develop a global framework for managing AI risks, unlocking its potential for good, and promoting common approaches to shared challenges. The Federal Government will lead in global conversations and collaborations to ensure that AI benefits the world and does not exacerbate inequities or threaten human rights.

The Biden Administration’s Executive Order on AI reflects a comprehensive and proactive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. By prioritizing safety, security, and responsible development, the administration seeks to ensure that AI benefits society while minimizing risks. It also places significant emphasis on equity, privacy, and global leadership, underlining the United States’ commitment to shaping AI’s future in a responsible and inclusive manner. As the implementation of these policies unfolds, the U.S. moves closer to realizing the full potential of AI while protecting the interests and rights of us the citizens.At Sabre88 we have taken an interest in the future of AI and what it will do for the United States of America.

*As defined by the White House, The term “artificial intelligence” or “AI” has the meaning set forth in 15 U.S.C. 9401(3): a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments. Artificial intelligence systems use machine- and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments; abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner; and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.

Cited Sources:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/

U.S. Federal Agencies at the Innovating with AI

Advancing Responsible AI: Understanding the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on AI