The Biden administration is reportedly funding over $3.3 Billion on artificial intelligence for its vast development in various agencies within the federal government and to address AI legislation and the emerging technology's risks.
The proposed budget allots more than $3 billion to several agencies for the responsible development, testing, acquisition, and integration of revolutionary AI applications throughout the Federal Government. The Budget also proposes to require agencies to spend an additional $300 million to enhance AI spending to manage significant risks and promote the technology's application for public benefit.
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President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hold an event to highlight their administration's approach to artificial intelligence in the East Room of the White House on October 30, 2023 in Washington, DC.
According to the Washington Times, to recruit computer and data scientists to study AI, President Biden requested Congress to authorize $32 million for the "AI talent surge." The AI Talent Surge will see committed individuals being hired to use AI to enhance government services, develop intelligent laws and policies protecting people's privacy, safety, and rights, and advance AI research and development to keep the US at the forefront of AI innovation.
Additionally, Biden requested $70 million for agencies to hire chief AI officers, who would oversee the work of the computer scientists and ensure their safety.
The proposed budget will also see the Commerce Department getting $50 million to establish the AI Safety Institute, which will provide guidelines for the use of AI. These guidelines will include separating information created by AI from that created by humans and developing privacy safeguards.
The Energy Department plans to leverage AI funds as well, claiming that AI will help in their battle against climate change. It is also reported that the National Nuclear Security Administration would receive $37 million to explore the misuse of AI on chemical, biological, or nuclear dangers, and the Department of Veterans Affairs would receive $10 million for medical and prosthetic research.
The National AI Research Resource Project (NAIRR), a critical first step in creating a shared research infrastructure to support and democratize access to computing and data resources for audacious AI discoveries and advances, is also funded with $30 million from the budget.
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AI Worries Continue to Loom
While an estimated $3.3 billion is being suggested for AI alone, Gregory Dawson, an Arizona State University professor who is researching AI spending with colleagues, remains concerned.
Dawson asserts that the budget still puts the United States behind where it ought to be and notes that, in sharp contrast to China, the United States spends a great deal of money on AI, with much of it being dispersed. Although this non-specific strategy might someday pay off, in the near run it keeps the United States in second place behind China and causes it to lose ground.
US' Cybersecurity Funding
In addition, the 2025 budget also reportedly includes money set out for law enforcement organizations to pursue cyber criminals and investments in federal cybersecurity projects.
The FBI is asking for an increase of $25 million to assist its cyber response capabilities and counterintelligence operations against hacker groups. The National Security Division of the Justice Department is also asking for about $5 million to combat cyber threats.
The White House's proposed budget for cybercrime comes as the FBI combats hacking threats that aim to destroy sensitive targets such as U.S. infrastructure. The FBI has disclosed operations in recent months that have taken down significant nation-state hacking groups connected to China and Russia.
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