In a significant move, the Biden administration has appointed Elizabeth Kelly, a top White House aide and economic policy adviser to President Joe Biden, as the director of the newly established AI Safety Institute at the National Institute for Standards and Technology within the Commerce Department. Kelly played a pivotal role in the formulation of the executive order signed in October, which paved the way for the institute’s creation, according to a statement from the Commerce Department.
Lael Brainard, the director of the White House National Economic Council, highlighted Kelly’s influence on shaping the president’s agenda in technology and financial regulation, emphasizing her efforts in building inclusive coalitions of stakeholders. Kelly’s diverse experience includes prior roles in the Obama White House and at the financial firm Capital One, showcasing a comprehensive background in policy and industry.
The AI Safety Institute is poised to assume a critical role in advancing the development of artificial intelligence. One of its primary objectives is to establish “red team” testing standards for major AI developers by July. These standards aim to ensure the safety of AI systems for both consumers and businesses. The administration views these safety tests as crucial for fostering trust in rapidly evolving AI technology, thereby facilitating broader adoption.
While the federal government has recently mandated AI companies to conduct tests on their systems, the absence of a universal set of standards has been a notable gap. The AI Safety Institute plans to address this by finalizing comprehensive standards during the summer, contributing to the overall safety and reliability of AI systems in the market.