In a significant move, the White House has introduced a comprehensive executive order aimed at monitoring and regulating the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) while harnessing its immense potential. President Joe Biden called it the "most significant action any government anywhere in the world has ever taken on AI safety, security, and trust."

The executive order, unveiled on Monday, will require developers of powerful AI systems to share the results of their safety tests with the federal government before making them public. It also grants the government the power to be notified, under the Defense Production Act, if the development of an AI model poses national security, economic, or health risks.

Recognizing the importance of skilled AI professionals, the order will address immigration barriers, making it easier for those specialized in critical areas of AI to study and work in the United States. Furthermore, it aims to establish standards that prevent the production of dangerous biological materials by AI systems and develop best practices to mitigate the potential displacement of human workers.

To combat AI-related fraud, the executive order directs the Commerce Department to provide guidance for watermarking AI-generated content, ensuring its authenticity. It also outlines the government's use of AI, including safety standards and measures to help agencies adopt new technologies that increase efficiency and reduce costs.

The White House's executive order builds upon voluntary commitments made earlier this year by 15 tech companies, including Microsoft and Google. These commitments allowed external testing of their AI systems before public release and promoted the development of methods to clearly identify AI-generated content.

While AI technology has existed for decades, recent advances in generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, have brought the technology to the forefront of public attention. This rapid advancement has led to concerns among industry leaders, who warn of the potential risks associated with AI.

President Biden, who has personally explored the capabilities of AI, spent months consulting with world leaders, academics, experts, and tech executives to understand its potential benefits as well as the negative impacts, particularly on social media platforms. This process aimed to ensure that safeguards are in place to protect consumers and address national security concerns.

The announcement of the executive order comes just ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris's attendance at an AI summit hosted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the United States has been collaborating with allies, including through the G7 and UN, to develop an international code of conduct for safe and trustworthy AI.

In the United States, Congress is also working towards legislation to address AI. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is organizing "AI Insight Forums" to discuss regulations related to protecting workers, national security, and copyright, as well as averting potential "doomsday scenarios."

With the implementation of this sweeping executive order, the White House aims to strike a balance between reaping the benefits of AI technology and safeguarding against the potential risks associated with its rapid development.