The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has taken a significant step in addressing the opportunities and challenges of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the launch of a new Public Working Group. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced this initiative, emphasizing the need to harness the potential of AI while managing associated risks to the economy, national security, and society.
The primary objective of the Public Working Group is to provide essential guidance to organizations involved in the development, deployment, and use of generative AI, ensuring its trustworthiness. NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework serves as the foundation for this guidance, with the agency aiming to minimize potential harm from generative AI technologies.
The group has set short-term, midterm, and long-term goals to address the challenges of generative AI. In the initial phase, the working group will gather input on guidance that explains how the NIST AI Risk Management Framework can support the development of generative AI technologies. This guidance will encourage the use of the framework to address associated risks.
Moving forward, the working group will support NIST’s efforts in testing, evaluation, and measurement related to generative AI, ensuring comprehensive risk management. In the long term, the group will explore opportunities to utilize generative AI technologies to address significant challenges in areas such as health, the environment, and climate change.
NIST’s Public Working Group on Generative AI will engage technical experts from the private and public sectors as volunteers. Its focus will be on identifying and managing risks related to generative AI, given the immense speed, scale, and potential impact of this technology. By involving a wide range of participants, NIST aims to develop tools and strategies that enhance our understanding and management of risks associated with generative AI.
The launch of this working group aligns with President Biden’s commitment to seize the opportunities presented by AI while effectively managing its risks. As the field of generative AI continues to evolve and revolutionize industries, NIST’s initiative ensures that risks are addressed throughout the development and utilization of AI applications.
