Senators Seek GAO Study on Effectiveness of AI Export Controls
Sens. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked the Government Accountability Office Dec. 3 to report to Congress on whether U.S. restrictions on artificial intelligence exports are adequate to protect national security and human rights.
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In a letter to the GAO, the senators said that while AI "has the potential to revolutionize entire industries," they’re concerned that U.S. adversaries could use AI to develop advanced military capabilities or commit cyberattacks. They also worry that foreign governments could commit human rights abuses with AI, such as by using facial recognition technology to surveil their populations.
Export controls administered by the Commerce and State departments "are designed to mitigate risks associated with exporting sensitive items while ensuring that legitimate trade can occur," the senators wrote. "Though these export controls can be effective, potential gaps may pose vulnerabilities."
The letter asks the GAO to examine a list of topics, such as the extent to which current U.S. export controls cover AI systems, technologies and services, including cloud computing services and “high-risk training data.” The senators also want to know whether U.S. agencies have assessed the efficacy of their AI export controls, what controls exist to prevent human rights abuses, and whether U.S. AI has been used to commit such abuses.