The Office of Management and Budget has issued two memos to facilitate the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence tools and drive efficient AI acquisition in the government.
In a fact sheet published Thursday, the White House said the policies mark the executive branch’s transition to a pro-innovation, pro-competition approach while mitigating unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions on the use of AI and enhancing U.S. superiority in AI innovation.
Fostering Responsible AI Adoption
M-25-21 provides agencies with the tools needed to advance AI innovation while maintaining strong protections for the civil rights, privacy and civil liberties of Americans.
Under the new memo, chief AI officers should promote agencywide AI adoption and innovation for lower risk AI; advise on AI investments and spending; and mitigate risks for higher-impact AI.
The policy directs agencies to produce an AI adoption maturity assessment to monitor progress and needs. It also introduces a “high-impact AI” category to track AI use cases that demand heightened due diligence due to potential impacts on the safety or rights of citizens.
Advancing Efficient AI Acquisition
M-25-22 offers guidance on how agencies could improve their ability to acquire AI tools rapidly, competitively and responsibly.
Under the memo, agencies must support a competitive AI marketplace by maximizing the use of American-made AI systems and services. They should also use performance-based acquisition techniques and establish an online shared repository of tools and resources to help with AI procurement.
The policy outlines specific requirements that avoid vendor lock-in and seeks to eliminate burdensome agency reporting requirements to facilitate the acquisition process.
