AI can reveal and cause improper sharing of individuals’ data when it infers additional sensitive information from raw data. Image: 13_Phunkod/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe GAO has said there is a need for more complete guidance to agencies using AI, saying that OMB guidance addresses only two of 10 major areas of risk identified by panels of experts it convened.
A report credits the most recent guidance on AI, OMB Memo M-25-21, with encouraging agencies to prioritize recruiting, developing, and retaining technical talent in AI roles. That directive, along with requirements of the AI Training Act—which requires training the acquisition workforce on risks posed by AI to privacy—“if effectively implemented, should help ensure that agencies have the workforce necessary to implement privacy protections when using AI,” it said.
Further, by stressing recruitment of employee with experience in scaling up AI systems, the memo “should better position agencies to implement AI at a scale that will work across multiple datasets and scenarios while also ensuring that appropriate privacy protections are in place,” it said.
However, the GAO said that the guidance comes up short regarding risks including that AI: “may be used to intentionally or unintentionally generate deceptive outputs”; “can reveal and cause improper sharing of individuals’ data when it infers additional sensitive information from raw data”; and “can make sensitive information more accessible to a wider audience (e.g., data brokers) than intended.”
Further, “use of personal data for purposes other than originally intended can be exacerbated by AI’s ability to repurpose data” and “data may continue to exist in AI systems and be difficult to extract/remove once collected” among others.
“We reached out to OMB to share our observations and whether OMB planned to release guidance that specified the types of privacy-related risks that agencies should consider when updating their AI-related policies. However, OMB did not provide any comments or additional documentation,” the GAO said.
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