Historical Context of AI Policy

The Biden administration's National Security Memorandum on AI draws historical parallels to significant policy documents from the Cold War era, such as NSC 68, which outlined the U.S. national security approach in the age of nuclear weapons. This context underscores the administration's view of frontier AI technology as a transformative force in national security, similar to the impacts of nuclear and space advancements. Unlike earlier AI policies that focused on machine learning technologies like face and voice recognition, this memorandum prioritizes the implications of cutting-edge AI systems, like advanced versions of ChatGPT. By acknowledging the potential of frontier AI as a national security concern, the administration aims to shape future policies to maintain the U.S.'s leadership in this critical area.