National Institutes of Standards and Technology Soliciting Feedback on the Future of Artificial Intelligence Standards

The National Institute of Standards and Technology recently released an updated plan outlining the need for federal engagement in artificial intelligence (AI) standards. Following the release of U.S. Leadership in AI: A Plan for Federal Engagement in Developing Technical Standards and Related Tools, the agency is now seeking comments from the public on the draft as it currently stands. A final plan incorporating all applicable feedback will be submitted to the White House on August 10.

The plan was drafted following President Trump’s executive order released in February, directing all federal agencies to take the necessary actions to ensure the U.S. is a leader in AI. It was developed in conjunction with comments from the public, solicited through a Request for Information earlier this year, as well as a workshop and federal agency review.

“Today’s draft plan is another critical step in implementing the American AI Initiative, our national strategy to maintain and strengthen America’s leadership in AI,” Deputy Assistant to the President for Technology Policy Michael Kratsios said following the report’s release. “The Trump administration looks forward to continued engagement with the federal government, industry, academia and other stakeholders to advance the American AI Initiative and unleash innovative, trustworthy AI technologies.”

This new draft provides a blueprint for the current state of AI standardization, as well as an outline of the standards-related tools that are needed to take this technology to the next level and roadmap to doing so.

All comments on the plan can be submitted to ai_standards@nist.gov through July 19, 2019.

To view the plan in full, click here: https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2019/07/02/plan_for_ai_standards_publicreview_2july2019.pdf