From Lawfare: Memorandum Outlines U.S. Government’s Role in AI Development

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On Oct. 24, President Biden released a National Security Memorandum on artificial intelligence (NSM on AI), in addition to an accompanying framework offering high-level recommendations. The NSM fulfills a requirement outlined in Section 4.8 of Executive Order 14110, which requires large AI developers and providers to share safety tests with the government, directs agencies to establish safety and testing standards, and calls for action to address the technology’s impact. The NSM applies to agencies within the intelligence community and those using National Security Systems (NSS); the framework serves as guidance for agencies in managing their “respective components/sub-agencies.” Both documents are intended to serve as the Department of Defense/intelligence community counterpart to the civilian-focused memorandum on AI (M-24-10) issued by the Office of Management and Budget—representing a comprehensive government approach to AI.

Accordingly, the NSM is the “first-ever” such document, with an overarching goal of responsibly, safely, and securely ensuring an “edge over rivals seeking to leverage AI to the detriment of [U.S.] national security.” The administration outlined “three core principles”: securing American leadership in AI, harnessing AI for national security, and accelerating responsible adoption via “clear rules of the road.”