ITI Unveils Global Policy Guide on Foundation Models and the AI Value Chain
WASHINGTON – As part of its AI Futures Initiative, global tech trade association ITI released new recommendations for global policymakers to promote the responsible development and use of foundation models, a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that underpin everyday tools including internet searches, photo editing, translation, ride-sharing, and chatbots.
Foundation models also have the potential to help solve bigger problems, like shortening research and development cycles in medicine and improving access to education. Like other types of AI, risks associated with foundation models need to be managed. ITI’s guide describes many of the risks associated with foundation models and offers policy guidance to help manage those risks, including advancing researchers’ ability to evaluate aspects of the models.
“As policymakers design new approaches to AI governance, developing and deploying systems in a responsible manner remains a top priority for all stakeholders,” said ITI Vice President of Policy Courtney Lang. “Leveraging the expertise of the world’s leading AI companies, ITI’s new guidedetails the complexity of the AI value chain and foundation models, and offers informed guidance to help develop meaningful policy. We hope it serves as a roadmap for global governments as they contemplate policies to encourage responsible AI innovation while addressing emerging challenges.”
In Understanding Foundation Models & the AI Value Chain: ITI’s Comprehensive Policy Guide, ITI encourages policymakers to:
- Avoid banning or pausing the development of foundation models;
- Facilitate transparency for consumers and for stakeholders in the AI value chain;
- Recognize that there is an element of shared responsibility between stakeholders in the AI value chain;
- Take a risk-based approach when considering regulatory requirements for foundation models and avoid requirements that involve overly prescriptive ex-ante risk assessments;
- Invest in measurement science for foundation models; and more.
Read ITI’s full Understanding Foundation Models & the AI Value Chain: ITI’s Comprehensive Policy Guide here.