FedScoop: Revised GSA AI clause hasn’t fully calmed industry concerns, comments show

“The General Services Administration is considering an acquisition rule that might exclude open-source and third-party artificial intelligence, a move that industry tech leaders told the agency could cause a chilling effect on AI procurement.”

“Several data privacy organizations — including the Center for Democracy and Technology, Electronic Privacy Information Center, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Upturn — said that while the updated draft better defines ‘unbiased AI principles,’ it needs to be removed altogether.”

“The groups said the requirements ‘are not technically feasible, will reduce the accuracy and reliability of AI systems procured by the federal government, and are ideologically driven such that they could be used to target specific political viewpoints by Administrations of either party.'”

“‘While it is a welcome improvement that the new version no longer calls out specific political viewpoints by removing specific mention of ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,’ the updated draft still retains many of the most concerning requirements from the prior version that pose significant risks to free expression, civil liberties, and model performance and accuracy,’ they said.”

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