The White House has expressed its support for 'open-source' artificial intelligence technology, stating that there is currently no need for restrictions on companies making key components of their AI systems widely available. This stance was outlined in a report released on Tuesday.
As part of a broader executive order on AI issued last year, President Joe Biden tasked the U.S. Commerce Department with engaging experts to provide recommendations on managing the benefits and risks associated with open AI models. The report marks the government's first comprehensive exploration of the ongoing debate within the tech industry regarding the openness of AI models.
The report highlights the differing perspectives within the tech community, with some developers advocating for closed models to prevent misuse, while others, like Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, argue for a more open approach to foster innovation.
The report emphasizes the importance of open systems and acknowledges the real benefits that come with the openness of AI technologies. It states that there is currently insufficient evidence to justify restrictions on AI models with widely available weights, which are numerical values that impact an AI model's performance.
While the report underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of potential risks associated with AI, it also emphasizes the importance of being prepared to address any heightened risks that may emerge in the future.
Notably, the release of the report coincides with the U.S. presidential election campaign, where AI policies have become a topic of discussion. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance, have expressed differing views on open-source AI, with Vance advocating for open models to prevent regulatory measures that could solidify the dominance of tech giants.
