On October 24, 2024, President Biden released the long-anticipated U.S. National Security Memorandum on AI (the memo) alongside a complementary Framework to Advance AI Governance and Risk Management in National Security (the framework).  Here are four takeaways from the memo and framework.

Responsible AI as a Cornerstone of National Security Policy

The memo’s emphasis on Responsible AI (RAI) is striking, positioning it as a central theme for national security and confronting the ongoing challenge of translating these principles into practice. We see an attempt to encourage responsible development, adoption, and governance of AI. What remains uncertain is precisely how RAI principles will transition from aspirational guidelines to rigorous, measurable practices.

The AI Safety Institute (AISI) as a Central Player

Mentioned over twenty times, AISI has been tasked with implementing standards for RAI while establishing metrics to evaluate frontier AI models within the framework of national security. Despite fundamental challenges in how to move from principles to benchmarks, the memo calls for preliminary testing of at least two frontier models within the next 180 days, with voluntary cooperation from the private sector, hinting at the delicate balance between government oversight and industry autonomy.

Framework Built on Voluntary Participation — Will It Suffice?

Despite its length, the memo relies primarily on voluntary commitments to cultivate a culture of RAI across both public and private sectors. If participation is purely voluntary, appropriate carrots and sticks must be leveraged to ensure participation.

Global Governance and a Democratic Approach to AI Regulation

The memo links the US domestic agenda on AI with international governance. This alignment suggests that the US will continue to leverage its AI capabilities as a strategic tool within the global policy landscape. Although the memo avoids naming specific nations, its emphasis on working with organizations like the OECD hints at a strategic intent to foster an alliance of democracies around AI principles that prioritize and align with democratic norms and values

Conclusion

The US National Security Memorandum on AI sets a bold agenda, highlighting RAI as a cornerstone to national security, fostering voluntary collaboration, and promoting democratic governance. However, significant challenges lie ahead, particularly in translating RAI principles into actionable benchmarks, fostering academic and industry cooperation, and ensuring that US-led standards resonate globally.