The White House announced on Friday that seven leading artificial intelligence companies have agreed to a voluntary pledge to allow independent experts to test their AI systems and to clearly label AI-generated content and images.
Microsoft and Google were among the tech giants to immediately and voluntarily commit to having independent experts test AI systems before releasing them to the public.
Other companies making the pledge include Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Inflection.
The companies have also committed to “watermarking” images and text created by AI so that the public can distinguish between original content and AI-generated content.
President Joe Biden is to meet later Friday with top executives from all seven companies at the White House as the companies try to allay fears about AI products.
“It’s a first step, it’s a bridge to where we need to go,” Bruce Reed, White House deputy chief of staff, told CNN in an interview. “It will help industry and government develop the capacities to make sure that AI is safe and secure. And we pushed to move so quickly because this technology is moving farther and faster than anything we’ve seen before.”
The White House said the commitments about security, safety, and trust were fundamental to the future of AI, reported CNN.
Some experts commended the White House but believe more than a pledge is needed.
“History would indicate that many tech companies do not actually walk the walk on a voluntary pledge to act responsibly and support strong regulations,” James Steyer, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Common Sense Media, said in a statement, according to The Washington Post.
Software trade group BSA, which includes Microsoft as a member, said it welcomed efforts to set rules.
“Enterprise software companies look forward to working with the administration and Congress to enact legislation that addresses the risks associated with artificial intelligence and promote its benefits,” the group said in a statement, per Fortune.
The White House said it wants to work with Congress on regulation.
“Companies have a duty to do right by individuals and society and earn the American people’s trust by making it easy for users to tell whether audio and visual content is in its original form or has been altered or generated by AI, preventing bias and discrimination, shielding our children from harm and helping society overcome our greatest challenges, from cancer to climate change,” a White House official said, according to The Hill.
