The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) component has launched a fresh effort to gather insights into the current global artificial intelligence (AI) market, along with concerns about international AI policies, regulations, and other measures which may impact U.S. exports of AI technologies.
The Commerce Department has made it a top priority to drive U.S. innovation and global competitiveness in critical and emerging technologies such as AI.
ITA has two goals with AI globally – ensuring the U.S. remains a leader in AI, while also promoting “innovative and trustworthy AI systems that respect human rights, democratic values, and are designed to enhance privacy protections,” reads a request for comment posted by ITA on Aug. 17 in the Federal Register.
To accomplish those goals, ITA said it is seeking “broad input from all interested stakeholders – including U.S. industry, researchers, academia and civil society – on the potential opportunities for and challenges to increasing U.S. export competitiveness for AI-enabled technologies.”
The notice asks for information on technologies and resources central to the development of AI. It is also looking for information on technology that heavily relies on AI such as autonomous vehicles, robotics and automation technology, medical devices and healthcare, security technology, and more.
In addition, the notice includes specific questions for respondents, including:
- What foreign/international AI policies or regulations exist?
- What trade barriers currently exist in the AI space?
- What remedies could resolve these trade barriers?
- What challenges are there when it comes to exporting AI products or services?
- How could international AI regulations impact any future product or service design and development?
- What trade policies could help support small to medium-sized enterprises that export AI products and services?
- What challenges does your organization face with regards to protecting your AI intellectual property, especially during overseas dealings?
- What can the U.S. government do to best foster and protect IP rights for U.S. AI technologies in overseas dealings?
- How should the trustworthiness and risk management of AI systems be considered by industry and/or policymakers?
- How can AI be incorporated into existing and future trade agreements to ensure the competitiveness of the U.S. industry?
ITA will be accepting comments through Oct. 15.
