The New Space Race: Biden Bets on AI with Sweeping Executive Order
Biden Bets on AI: White House Unleashes Sweeping Order in New "Tech Race with China"
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, humanity’s first artificial satellite, shocking Americans and igniting the space race. Now in 2023, President Biden is aiming to recreate that watershed moment with artificial intelligence.
On Monday, Biden signed a groundbreaking executive order that he described as a “21st century Sputnik moment.” Much like Sputnik’s beeping radio signal from orbit jolted America to action, this order marks a turning point in the AI race with China.
“We face a genuine inflection point in history that will shape the decades ahead,” said Biden from the White House. He warned that rapid advances in AI will bring “the most consequential technological change of our time” at “warp speed.”
The sweeping order lays the foundation to make AI in America trustworthy, responsible, and human-centric while maintaining U.S. leadership. It unleashes over 25 major initiatives spanning safety, ethics, tech standards, job impacts, diplomacy, and more.
“AI is going to expand the boundaries of human possibility and test the bounds of human understanding,” said Biden. “This landmark executive order is a testament to what we stand for—safety, security, trust.”
Accelerating Change ‘Beyond Our Capacity’
The motivation is clear: artificial intelligence is careening forward at a pace exceeding regulators’ wildest dreams. Each year, AI capabilities advance by leaps due to exponential growth in data and computing power.
“We’re going to see more technological change in the next 10, maybe next 5 years, than we’ve seen in the last 50 years,” warned Biden, calling it a “fact.”
While AI already helps forecast extreme weather, map distant galaxies, route drivers, and much more, it also poses risks. AI can entrench biases, manipulate users, threaten cybersecurity, and displace workers. Unchecked, it may one day surpass human control.
“Over the past years, we’ve met with experts on the risks and opportunities of AI,” said Biden. “One thing is clear: to realize the promise of AI and avoid the risks, it needs to be governed. It must be governed.”
America vs. China in the Algorithmic Age
China aims to lead AI by 2030, pouring over $150 billion into the field. Meanwhile, autocratic regimes deploy AI for surveillance, propaganda, and social control. Russia combines face recognition and data analytics to track dissidents.
Biden’s order comes after over a year of deliberation and meetings with technologists, ethicists, civil rights groups, companies, and more. It builds on efforts like the EU’s AI Act and work by the OECD while aiming to shape new global norms as democracies pursue responsible AI.
The White House explicitly framed the order as securing U.S. leadership against authoritarian rivals, drawing parallels to the space race.
“I’ve heard from leaders around the world asking, ‘Is the United States going to show the way in AI?’” remarked Biden. “‘Will the United States lead?’”
Safety and Security Top Priorities
The order’s initial focus is reining in the most dangerous AI applications that threaten lives and democracy. Biden invoked the Defense Production Act, used in crises like WWII manufacturing and the pandemic response, to mandate new reporting rules.
Companies developing high-risk AI must now document and test their systems for safety and security. The Department of Energy will vet designs for potential nuclear, chemical, and biological hazards. The Department of Homeland Security will scan for cyber vulnerabilities.
“In the wrong hands, AI can make it easier for hackers to exploit software vulnerabilities,” warned Biden, citing threats to critical infrastructure. His administration aims to develop new protections against AI-enabled hacking.
Restoring Trust in Information
Deepfakes and synthetic media represent another rising AI menace. Using just seconds of audio, AI can now generate realistic impersonations and spoof content. The White House fears these techniques could further corrupt the information landscape.
“All too often, AI devices are being used to deceive people,” said Biden. “Deepfakes use AI to smear reputations and spread fake news and commit fraud.”
To combat information pollution, Biden is directing the Commerce Department to help develop content labeling standards. Users should be able to know if audio, video, and text was generated or manipulated by AI.
The order also urges research into AI techniques that enhance privacy and data rights rather than enable surveillance capitalism. With safeguards, data can inform algorithms while respecting consumer protections.
Protecting Civil Rights and Workers
Many existing AI systems produce biased results that discriminate against marginalized groups. To foster civil rights in the algorithmic age, the order tasks agencies with issuing guidance for equitable federal AI uses. It also calls on the Justice Department to prosecute AI bias cases.
“Without the right safeguards, AI can lead to discrimination, bias, and other abuses,” warned Biden. His administration will audit high-risk systems and support counter-bias research.
The order further establishes a task force to assess AI impacts on the workforce as automation displaces millions of jobs. Retraining programs and skills initiatives will aim to smooth the transition.
Global Leadership Through Democratic Values
With these measures, Biden aims to chart a democratic path forward for artificial intelligence. The alternative is letting values like privacy, equality, accountability, and human dignity get trampled in a technological stampede.
“Because AI’s challenges and opportunities are global, we’re going to keep advancing American leadership globally,” said Biden, citing ongoing diplomacy through the G7, OECD, and United Nations.
The order comes as over 140 nations negotiate a UN treaty on banning lethal autonomous weapons. Meanwhile, the brutal war in Ukraine demonstrates how AI and tech fail to guarantee peace absent democratic norms.
“Leaders around the world ask, ‘is the United States going to show the way in AI?’” said Biden. “Yes we are.”
The starting gun has fired on a new technology race that will shape our future. Unlike the space race, America is calling on the world’s democracies to run together. For it will take a global coalition of values to win the marathon of progress.
Inflection Point for Humanity
Biden closed by reflecting on AI’s immense significance for civilization. While innovations like electricity and automobiles had profound impacts, artificial intelligence represents an even deeper shift.
AI promises to reshape how we conduct science, administer justice, wage war, work, heal, create, and fundamentally understand ourselves. It will influence not just economic might, but human identity.
“There is no greater change that I can think of in my lifetime than AI represents,” said the president. “It explores the universe, fights climate change, and ends cancer.”
With stakes so high, values-based governance is imperative. The crises of the algorithmic age will test societies like never before, from information warfare to biological threats. Biden cited American ideals of liberty, equality, and human rights as foundations to build upon.
“We just have to remember who in God’s name we are,” remarked Biden. “We’re the United States of America. There is nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together.”
Of course, executive orders can only accomplish so much. Biden urged bipartisan Congressional action on AI legislation, data privacy, and protecting youth online. He plans to host lawmakers this week to jumpstart the process.
After the legislative failures of 2022, Biden will face an uphill climb. But facing the cameras, he struck an optimistic tone about AI’s possibilities if harnessed responsibly.
“I’ve never been more optimistic about America’s future,” concluded Biden. “We can meet this moment with hope and not fear.”
With pens, not rockets, Biden aims to win this new space race not by reaching the stars, but by writing the rules. The starting gun has fired. The marathon ahead will test societies like never before in human history. But Americans have felt that wind before.
“It’s good to be home,” remarked Biden. Now the race begins.
