According to White House aides, former President Barack Obama advised the Biden administration regarding its strategy to tackle the issue of artificial intelligence.
Engaging with businesses and doing Zoom meetings with West Wing aides, Obama, like Biden, has allegedly considered AI a technology that requires urgent attention due to its possible severe consequences.
Biden and Obama reportedly spoke about the topic via phone in June, and shortly after Biden requested that the former president consult with his team to craft a policy that promotes innovation and tackles the dangers of AI.
According to NBC News, the former president helped implement strategies for companies to willingly sign on to have their AI models tested prior to being made available to the public.
“He helped really set the frame of mind that companies can innovate while also being responsible and that companies need to be accountable,” White House chief of staff Jeff Zients said.
“I’m glad to see the Biden administration acting with a sense of urgency — securing voluntary commitments from leading companies, and now signing an executive order designed to encourage innovation while avoiding some of the biggest risks. Congress should follow President Biden’s lead and look to his executive order for opportunities to fund this work,” Obama said in a statement.
From The Blaze:
Biden, who served as vice president throughout Obama's eight-year White House tenure, recently issued an executive order on AI. "The Executive Order establishes new standards for AI safety and security, protects Americans’ privacy, advances equity and civil rights, stands up for consumers and workers, promotes innovation and competition, advances American leadership around the world, and more," the White House stated.
