Notice: You are viewing a detailed profile of an entity in our US Agency Mapping resource, in which we have compiled all information relevant for the regulation of advanced AI technologies in the US. To see an overview of all entities, return to the entity overview page.
Index
Department of Commerce (DoC)
International Trade Administration (ITA)
US Patent and Trade Administration (USPTO)
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
US AI Safety Institute (USAISI)
National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA)
Department of Energy (DoE)
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER)
Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR)
Office of Critical and Emerging Technology (OCET)
Department of Homeland Security (DoHS)
Cybersecurity and & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Office of Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience (CIRR)
Office of Science
Office of Critical and Emerging Technology (OCET)
In 2019, DOE established the Office for Artificial Intelligence and Technology (AI) to coordinate AI efforts across the labs and the Department. In 2023, DOE replaced this office with the Office for Critical and Emerging Technology (CET), following President Biden’s October 2023 Executive Order on AI (EO). It is housed under the Office of the Undersecretary for Science and Innovation (S4) which oversees 13 out of 17 DOE’s national labs and is the center of R&D in the Department.
Helena Fu - Director, Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies and Chief AI Officer
Authority
From a recent article with Helena Fu: “The new office isn’t expected to be regulatory in nature, Fu said. But she added the DOE could do the scientific work that informs how other agencies regulate.“ Source
However, the OCET, under Executive order 14110, requires DOE to:
- Establish a pilot program for AI talent development with the goal of training 500 new researchers by 2025,
- Write a report on AI’s potential to improve the electric grid and permitting processes,
- Develop tools to apply AI foundation models to basic and applied science,
- Develop DOE evals and testbeds for AI to evaluate the risk of outputs that could pose nuclear, chemical, biological, critical infrastructure, and energy-security threats.
Programs
Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence for Science, Security, and Technology (FASST) initiative: In July 2024 the DOE announced FASST, an initiative aimed at establishing U.S. leadership in safe and trustworthy AI systems for scientific discovery, energy research, and national security. It’s designed to leverage DOE’s resources to develop AI capabilities that address national and global challenges.
Enabling components:
- Data: DOE generates classified and unclassified scientific data through advanced experimental facilities.
- Computing: DOE operates and conducts research with supercomputers.
- Workforce: Over 40,000 scientists and researchers at DOE and its national labs.
- Partnerships: Extensive experience in mission-driven public-private collaborations.
Goals:
- Advance National Security: Develop AI models for national security applications such as threat detection and strategic deterrence.
- Harness AI for Scientific Discovery: Develop AI tools to dramatically reduce time to discovery and extend the nation’s competitive edge in technological innovation.
- Develop technical expertise necessary for AI governance: Provide independent expertise to inform and validate standards and regulations for a responsible and safe AI industry.
- Address Energy Challenges: Use AI to unlock new clean energy sources, optimize energy production, and improve grid resilience.
Recent activities
August 2022: The DOE developed an AI Risk Management Framework in consultation with NIST.
References
https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/FASST%20Handout%20%281%29_0.pdf
Index
Department of Commerce (DoC)
International Trade Administration (ITA)
US Patent and Trade Administration (USPTO)
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
US AI Safety Institute (USAISI)
National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA)
Department of Energy (DoE)
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER)
Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR)
Office of Critical and Emerging Technology (OCET)
Department of Homeland Security (DoHS)
Cybersecurity and & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Office of Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience (CIRR)