The Biden Administration has refreshed its efforts to encourage AI innovation while mitigating AI risks.

In a fact sheet posted May 23, the team offers updates on three up-to-the-minute endeavors that, together, paint an Executive Branch excited as ever about AI yet increasingly watchful for irresponsibility among AI researchers, developers, commercializers and end-users.

Areas of special vigilance are sure to include safety, privacy and security. The three newly spotlighted AI works in progress expanding the breadth of this focus are:

1. An updated roadmap guiding federal investments in AI research and development. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is releasing a National AI R&D Strategic Plan. Updated for the first time in four years, this “roadmap” lays out priorities and goals related to federal R&D investments in AI. The OSTP says the plan, issued as a report from a select committee on AI overseen by the National Science and Technology Council, was drafted by “experts across the federal government and with public input.” More:

“[T]he federal government will invest in R&D that promotes responsible American innovation, serves the public good, protects people’s rights and safety and upholds democratic values. It will help ensure continued U.S. leadership in the development and use of trustworthy AI systems.”

2. A new request for public input on critical AI issues. Here the OSTP is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit input for guiding national priorities around reducing AI risks, safeguarding citizens’ rights and safety, and ensuring that AI stays aimed at improving the quality of life. The resulting info harvest will support the Biden Administration’s ongoing efforts to

“advance a cohesive and comprehensive strategy to manage AI risks and harness AI opportunities. It complements work happening across the federal government to engage the public on critical AI issues.”

3. A new report on the risks and opportunities related to AI in education. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology is releasing a new report, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations.” This  document lays out the risks and opportunities related to AI when specifically used for educational purposes. More:

“AI can enable new forms of interaction between educators and students, help educators address variability in learning, increase feedback loops and support educators, [but it also brings risks]—including algorithmic bias—and [demands measures to ensure] trust, safety and appropriate guardrails.”

These three steps build on previous efforts by the Biden Administration to ensure Executive Branch involvement in shaping AI as it emerges across the public and private spheres. Earlier works include the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and related executive actions, the AI Risk Management Framework, a roadmap for standing up a National AI Research Resource, active work to address the national security concerns raised by AI, and investments and actions announced earlier this month.