AMERICAN ARTIFICIAL 

INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVE

Lynne Parker, Ph.D.

Assistant Director for Artificial Intelligence

Office of Science and Technology Policy

The White House

1
AI: An Administration Perspective

2

“Artificial intelligence holds tremendous potential as a tool to empower the American 

worker, drive growth in American industry, and improve the lives of the American 

people. Our free market approach to scientific discovery harnesses the combined 

strengths of government, industry, and academia, and uniquely positions us to leverage 

this technology for the betterment of our great nation.”

- Michael Kratsios, Deputy Assistant to the President for Technology Policy

“We’re on the verge of new technological revolutions that could improve virtually every 

aspect of our lives, create vast new wealth for American workers and families, and open up 

bold, new frontiers in science, medicine, and communication.” 

- President Donald J. Trump

This Administration is committed to continued U.S. leadership in AI and 

ensuring AI benefits the American people and reflects American values.
President’s Executive Order: Maintaining 

American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence

3

• Establishes the American AI Initiative to 

promote and protect national AI 

technology and innovation

• Multipronged approach:

• Prioritizing sustained AI R&D

• Enhancing access to high-quality data 

and cyberinfrastructure

• Removing regulatory barriers

• Ensuring leadership in technical 

standards

• Providing education & training 

• Developing action plan to protect 

technological advantage in AI Feb. 11, 2019
AI Initiative builds upon important feedback 

from 2018 White House AI Summit

 White House AI for American 

Industry Summit

 May 10, 2018

 100+ participants:

 senior government officials

 top AI academics

 heads of industrial research 

labs

 American business leaders 

 AI Summit defined key 

directions reflected in AI EO

4
AI for the American People

Prioritize

AI R&D

Lead 

International 

AI 

Deliberations

Leverage

AI for 

Government 

Services

Defend 

National 

Security

Ensure

AI-Ready 

Workforce

Remove 

Barriers to 

Innovation

Maintain 

U.S. 

Leadership 

in AI

Prioritize AI R&D

Grow and sustain American 

research leadership and capacity

Remove barriers to 

innovation

Modernize governance for 

AI-powered technologies

Ensure AI-Ready Workforce

Provide AI-ready education 

at all levels: K-12, college, 

re-training, re-skilling, R&D 

workforce

Lead international AI 

deliberations

Work with like-minded partners 

to recognize potential benefits 

of AI and promote AI R&D

Leverage AI for government

Apply AI to improve 

provision of government 

services

Defend national security

Lead in responsible use of 

AI to ensure continued 

national security
AI for the American People

Lead 

International 

AI 

Deliberations

Leverage

AI for 

Government 

Services

Defend 

National 

Security

Ensure

AI-Ready 

Workforce

Remove 

Barriers to 

Innovation

Maintain 

U.S. 

Leadership 

in AI

Prioritize

AI R&D
The Innovation Ecosystem for AI in America

7

Strengthen and leverage uniquely American 

government, industry, academic partnerships

 Federal Government:

 New, focused AI investments through key agencies

 Access to federal data sets and computational resources

 Private sector:

 Investments matching federal agencies

 Access to data sets, infrastructure

 Academia:

 Co-investment at colleges/universities

 Education of AI-ready workforce

Prescription 3: Establishing a More Robust 

National Government-University-Industry 

Research Partnership, Restoring the 

Foundation: The Vital Role of Research in 

Preserving the American Dream, AAAS, 2014

Continuing Innovation in Information Technology

National Academies Press, 2016
AI EO: Prioritizing Funding for AI R&D

8

FY 2019 R&D Budget Priorities memo

“autonomous systems, ... machine learning, and quantum 

computing ..... coordinated interagency initiatives, ... STEM 

education, including computer science education "

National Security Strategy

“prioritize emerging technologies critical to 

economic growth and security, such as data 

science, encryption, autonomous 

technologies,... advanced computing 

technologies, and artificial intelligence. “

National Defense Strategy

“.. invest broadly in military application 

of autonomy, artificial intelligence, and 

machine learning, including rapid 

application of commercial 

breakthroughs.”

The Federal Government serves a critical role in supporting long-term 

fundamental R&D that drives future technological breakthroughs.

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Coordinating Federal AI R&D

9

Machine 

Learning and AI

Subcommittee

AI R&D 

Interagency 

Working Group

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

National Science and Technology Council

Select Committee 

on AI

 Most senior Federal R&D leadership

 Advises White House on interagency 

AI R&D priorities

 Identifies opportunities to improve 

coordination of AI R&D, including 

ways to leverage Federal resources

Select Committee on AI: 

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Machine Learning and AI Subcommittee:

 Senior Federal leaders with AI R&D 

budget authority

 Operational and implementation arm 

of Select Committee

AI Interagency Working Group:

 AI experts across Federal agencies

 Community of practice 

Select Committee on AI

November, 2018
Guiding R&D Investments: 

National AI R&D Strategic Plan

10

In process: 2019 update to the National AI R&D 

Strategic Plan (2016), to ensure that the U.S. 

continues to lead in cutting edge AI innovations.
Unique AI contributions of Federal Agencies 

• National Science Foundation: funds long-term transformative fundamental AI research in AI

• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency: invests in pioneering in AI research, e.g., “third wave” of AI systems 

• Department of Defense: established Joint Artificial Intelligence Center to translate AI research into use

• Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity: invests in AI for intelligence challenges

• National Institute for Standards and Technology: conducts R&D for technical standards for trustworthy AI 

• Department of Energy: develops high-performance computing infrastructure supporting AI research.

• Department of Veterans Affairs: explores (with DOE) secure analysis of large digital health and genomic data 

• National Institutes of Health: studies use of AI in medicine, e.g., diagnosing illnesses or personalizing treatments 

• Department of Transportation: develops guidance for safe integration of AI-based driverless vehicles 

Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Health and Human Services: studies workforce implications 

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: uses AI for weather and environmental applications

11

Collectively, these and other Federal agencies 

provide critical expertise and leadership in AI.
AI EO: Unleashing AI Resources

12

Cyberinfrastructure for AI:

• Directs DoD, DOC, HHS, DOE, 

NASA, NSF to prioritize 

allocation of HPC resources 

for AI-related applications.

• Directs agencies to 

recommend ways to better 

use cloud computing for 

Federally-funding AI R&D.

Data:

• Directs agencies to make Federal 

data and models more available 

to America’s AI R&D experts, 

researchers, and industries.

• RFI to gain info on which Federal 

data would be most useful for AI 

R&D (forthcoming).

• Agencies identify barriers to 

increased access, such as 

privacy, security, data 

documentation, formatting.

• Agencies prioritize data in light 

of AI R&D impact and barriers.
Accelerating Access to AI Infrastructure

1313

Cyberinfrastructure for AI:

Other AI hardware of interest: neuromorphic 

computing, hardware accelerators for ML, 

embedded systems, parallel architectures, ...

Data: NSF’s “Big Idea”:

Harnessing the Data Revolution

Engage research community in:

• Advancing fundamental data-centric 

research and data-driven domain 

discoveries

• Building data infrastructure for research

• Developing 21st-century data-capable 

workforce

ORNL’s Summit –June ‘18

• Designed to advance 

science and AI research 

• Over 27,000 NVIDIA 

GPUs, plus IBM’s 

Power9 chips designed 

for AI

DOE/Cray Frontier 

Supercomputer at ORNL

• Exascale computer 

(>1.5 exaflops)

• 2nd Gen AI system, 

providing capabilities 

for deep learning, ML, 

data analytics
Key Messages

1) AI R&D funding must be (and is) prioritized by the Administration.

2) We must accelerate development of enabling infrastructure for 

complete AI systems.

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Prioritize

AI R&D

AI for the American People

Lead 

International 

AI 

Deliberations

Leverage

AI for 

Government 

Services

Defend 

National 

Security

Ensure

AI-Ready 

Workforce

Maintain 

U.S. 

Leadership 

in AI

Remove 

Barriers to 

Innovation
Removing Barriers to AI Innovation

16

Government regulations must be modernized for AI – supportive of 

innovation while maintaining civil liberties, privacy, and American values.

FAA Pilot program for drones

Oct. 2017 

DOT policy for Automated Vehicles

Oct. 2018 

FDA permitting AI- based medical tool

April 2018 
AI EO:

Creating AI Guidance for Federal Agencies

• Overall guidance: American AI Initiative directs OMB/OIRA (with 

OSTP and others) to issue memo to heads of all agencies that:

• Informs development of regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to AI

• Considers ways to reduce barriers to the use of AI to promote their innovative 

uses while protecting civil liberties, privacy, American values, and U.S. 

economic and national security

• Draft version of memo will be published for public comment (~June 2019)

• Agency approaches: Guidance will help Federal regulatory agencies 

develop and maintain regulatory and non-regulatory approaches for 

safe and trustworthy creation and adoption of new AI technologies

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AI EO: Federal Engagement in

AI Technical Standards Development

• Technical standards:

• NIST will lead in development of appropriate technical standards 

for reliable, robust, trustworthy, 

secure, portable, and 

interoperable AI systems

• RFI seeks comment on:

• Current status/plans re: AI 

technical standards

• Needs/challenges in 

development of AI standards

• Current & potential future role 

of Federal agencies in 

development of AI standards

• NIST’s May 30 workshop:

• Engages private- and public- sector and individuals 

• Outcome: annotated outline of 

Plan for Federal engagement

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RFI issued May 1, 2019

Comments due May 31 

June 10
Key Messages

3) Government regulations must support innovation while 

maintaining civil liberties, privacy, and American values.

19
Prioritize

AI R&D

AI for the American People

Lead 

International 

AI 

Deliberations

Leverage

AI for 

Government 

Services

Defend 

National 

Security

Remove 

Barriers to 

Innovation

Maintain 

U.S. 

Leadership 

in AI

Ensure

AI-Ready 

Workforce
Educating and Training AI-Ready Workforce

21

AI promises great benefits for workers, with the potential to improve 

safety, increase productivity, and create new industries of the future.

However, our Nation urgently needs workers who are skilled in STEM.

Increasing Access to STEM+C

• Sept ‘17 PM calls Dept. of Educ. to devote 

$200M to STEM+C education

• Industry also committed $300M

Prioritize existing fellowship 

and training programs for AI

• AI EO directs agencies prioritize opportunities 

and communicate plans annually to co-chairs 

of Select Committee
Educating and Training AI-Ready Workforce

22

AI EO directions to Select 

Committee:

• Technical expertise to National Council for 

American Worker

• Recommendations to NSTC Committee on 

STEM Education regarding AI-related 

educational and workforce development 

considerations

Creation of National Council for 

American Worker 

• July ‘18 EO establishes Council to address 

workforce changes caused by AI and 

automation
R&D to Address Workforce Impacts of AI

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• AI technologies offer many potential benefits: 

• creation of new industries and occupations

• increased opportunities for innovation

• increased productivity

• However, AI technologies are changing the nature of 

work, and have caused some concerns:

• Possibility of lost jobs

• Mismatch between available occupations and skills of 

the workforce

• NSF R&D: The Future of Work at the Human- Technology Frontier:

• Increase understanding of human-technology partnership and emerging socio-technological landscape

• Create new technologies to augment human 

performance

• Foster livelong and pervasive learning with 

technology.

23

NSF’s Big Idea on Future of Work at 

the Human-Technology Frontier
Key Messages

4) AI workforce challenges must be addressed to ensure 

economic competitiveness and national security.

24
Prioritize

AI R&D

AI for the American People

Lead 

International 

AI 

Deliberations

Leverage

AI for 

Government 

Services

Ensure

AI-Ready 

Workforce

Remove 

Barriers to 

Innovation

Maintain 

U.S. 

Leadership 

in AI

Defend 

National 

Security
AI for National Security and Defense

26

DoD Established Joint AI Center 

(JAIC)

• Focal point in use of AI for defense missions

• Accelerating delivery of AI-enabled capabilities 

from lab to application

• Synchronizing DoD’s AI activities

Establishing DoD’s AI principles

• Defense Innovation Board is engaging with 

stakeholders to inform development of 

principles for ethical use of AI

• DoD’s AI principles will demonstrate DoD’s 

commitment to use AI responsibly and ensure 

the protection of civil liberties and the rule of law

DARPA investing in “3rd wave” AI 

• $2B AI Next Campaign

• Focus is on robust, 

secure, safe,

explainable AI
AI EO: Protecting National AI Advantage

27

• National Security Presidential Memorandum (Feb. 11, 2019) –

“Protecting the United States Advantage in Artificial 

Intelligence and Related Critical Technologies”

• Directs Federal agencies to develop and implement an action 

plan to protect our national and economic security interests 

against strategic competitors and foreign adversaries.
Key Messages

5) We must accelerate the adoption of AI for national defense and 

security, while also ensuring responsible use of AI.

28
Prioritize

AI R&D

AI for the American People

Lead 

International 

AI 

Deliberations

Defend 

National 

Security

Ensure

AI-Ready 

Workforce

Remove 

Barriers to 

Innovation

Maintain 

U.S. 

Leadership 

in AI

Leverage

AI for 

Government 

Services
Leverage AI for Government Services

30

Accelerate effective use of AI for improved government services.

GSA helping government use AI

• Emerging Citizen Technology Office is 

exploring several pilots to help use AI tools 

for providing Federal services

Federal Data Strategy: 

Using Data as a Strategic Asset

• Developing a coordinated and integrated 

approach to the use of data

• Federal Data Strategy will define principles, 

practices, and action plan for Federal data 

stewardship, use, and access

https://strategy.data.gov/
Key Messages:

7) Federal government should use AI to improve the provision of government services.

31
AI for the American People

32

Prioritize

AI R&D

Leverage

AI for 

Government 

Services

Defend 

National 

Security

Ensure

AI-Ready 

Workforce

Remove 

Barriers to 

Innovation

Maintain 

U.S. 

Leadership 

in AI

Lead 

International 

AI 

Deliberations
Lead International AI Deliberations

33

The U.S. promotes an international environment supportive of American AI 

innovation, with a focus on fostering trust and adoption.

USG engages internationally on AI

• Many venues are discussing issues of AI

• USG actively engages to develop approaches 

for AI innovation that lead to economic 

growth, while also protecting American 

values 

G7 Innovation Ministers’

Statement on AI (2018)

• Supporting economic growth from AI 

innovation 

• Using AI applications to help improve 

economic performance.

• Increasing trust in and adoption of AI

• Necessary ingredients for economic growth 

and the fuel for future innovations 

• Promoting inclusivity in AI development and 

deployment

• Critical to ensuring broad public support 

for AI adoption and ensuring all members 

of society can benefit from this technology. 
International Collaboration on AI 

Governance: OECD AI Principles

34

“For the first time in history, America and likeminded 

democracies of the world will commit to common AI 

principles reflecting our shared values and priorities. 

These principles send a strong message: The OECD 

countries stand together in unleashing AI innovation, 

understanding that it is an essential tool to drive 

economic growth, empower workers, and lift up quality of 

life for all”. 

-- Michael Kratsios, Deputy Assistant to the President for 

Technology Policy. 

22-May-2019
OECD Recommendation on AI Principles

• AI Expert Group worked over several months to craft draft AI principles 

(Sept ‘18 – Feb ’19)

• OECD Committee on Digital Economy Policy negotiated final consensus 

language for the draft AI Recommendation of the OECD Council (March 

2019)

• Approved by OECD (May 22, 2019) 

• 36 member nations (U.S., much of Europe, Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, Mexico, 

New Zealand, S. Korea)

• 6 non-member nations (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Romania)

35
OECD Recommendation on AI

36

• Principles for responsible stewardship of trustworthy AI

1.1. Inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being

1.2. Human-centered values and fairness

1.3. Transparency and explainability

1.4. Robustness, security and safety 

1.5. Accountability

• National policies and international cooperation for trustworthy AI 

2.1. Investing in AI research and development 

2.2. Fostering a digital ecosystem for AI

2.3. Providing an enabling policy environment for AI

2.4. Building human capacity and preparing for labor transition 

2.5. International cooperation

An historic international, consensus 

statement of AI principles.
Key Messages

7) The United States must engage with like-minded international 

partners to realize the full potential of AI and address key 

challenges.

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Summary of Key Messages:

1) AI R&D funding must be (and is) prioritized by the Administration.

2) We must accelerate development of enabling infrastructure for complete AI 

systems.

3) Government regulations must support innovation while maintaining civil liberties, privacy, and American values.

4) AI workforce challenges must be addressed to ensure economic 

competitiveness and national security.

5) We must accelerate the adoption of AI for national defense and security, while 

also ensuring responsible use of AI.

6) Federal government should use AI to improve the provision of government services.

7) The United States must engage with like-minded international partners to realize the full potential of AI and address key challenges.

38

This Administration is committed to continued U.S. leadership in AI and 

ensuring AI benefits the American people and reflects American values.
AI.gov –“All of Government” Portal 

for Federal AI Activities

39
AI for the American People

Prioritize

AI R&D

Lead 

International 

AI 

Deliberations

Leverage

AI for 

Government 

Services

Defend 

National 

Security

Ensure

AI-Ready 

Workforce

Remove 

Barriers to 

Innovation

Maintain 

U.S. 

Leadership 

in AI

Prioritize AI R&D

Grow and sustain American 

research leadership and capacity

Remove barriers to 

innovation

Modernize governance for 

AI-powered technologies

Ensure AI-Ready Workforce

Provide AI-ready education 

at all levels: K-12, college, 

re-training, re-skilling, R&D 

workforce

Lead international AI 

deliberations

Work with like-minded partners 

to recognize potential benefits 

of AI and promote AI R&D

Leverage AI for government

Apply AI to improve 

provision of government 

services

Defend national security

Lead in responsible use of 

AI to ensure continued 

national security
Thank you!

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Contact info

email: Lynne.E.Parker@ostp.eop.gov

office: (202) 456-3608