Amazon Calls for Global Alignment on Responsible AI Policies

Amazon is calling for urgent global alignment on responsible AI policies, arguing that collaboration between governments and companies is crucial to securing U.S. economic prosperity and security.

In a recently published blog post, Amazon's senior vice president of global public policy, David Zapolsky, wrote that global alignment on responsible AI measures would enhance American innovation in the long term.

“For the U.S. and our allies to unlock the benefits of AI while minimizing its risks, we must continue to work together to establish AI guardrails that are consistent with democratic values, secure economic prosperity and security, ensure global interoperability, promote competition and enhance safe and responsible innovation,” Zapolsky wrote.

Increasing focus is being placed on responsible AI considerations as the technology continues to gain traction.

The recent AI Safety Summit in Seoul, South Korea saw several leading technology companies, including Amazon, pledge to publish the safety measures they’re taking when developing foundation models.

Zapolsky said milestones like the AI Safety Summit “laid the groundwork for international interoperability” but added that he wants future rules to protect against risks and not harm innovation.

Related:Microsoft, Amazon, IBM Pledge to Publish AI Safety Measures for Models

“We still need to secure global alignment on responsible AI measures to protect U.S. economic prosperity and security,” Zapolsky wrote. “That alignment won’t be easy to accomplish, but we can do it. And if we succeed over the long term, American innovation can be enhanced, not restricted or harmed.”

Zapolsky says Amazon has more than 70 responsible AI capabilities and features in place and had staff complete tens of thousands of training hours on responsible AI but wants other companies to follow suit.

“All companies building, using or leveraging AI must commit to its responsible deployment,” the executive wrote, adding that Amazon is committed to building guardrails into all of its AI products and services.

For example, Amazon has embedded invisible watermarks into a tool that allows customers to generate studio-quality images and has also developed Service Cards for AWS users to help them understand the limitations of its AI services.

The Biden administration has spearheaded a multi-pronged approach to AI governance, including a comprehensive executive order on AI safety and innovation and establishing rigorous guidelines for federal agencies adopting AI technologies.

The government also secured voluntary commitments from leading tech companies, including Amazon and Claude developer Anthropic, which the company has a stake in, to promote safe and transparent AI development.

Related:White House, Tech Leaders Reach Accord on AI Guardrails

Zapolsky said the U.S. government’s efforts and Amazon’s commitment to the voluntary rules build on the company’s approach to responsible AI development but a global consensus is needed.

“Frameworks like the White House commitments help ensure that companies, governments, academia and researchers alike can work together to deliver groundbreaking generative AI innovation with trust at the forefront,” Zapolsky wrote.

“We must all commit and double-down on this emerging global consensus on responsible AI, and to the public-private collaboration that will continue to move us forward. Amazon is dedicated to innovating on behalf of our customers while implementing the necessary safeguards and committing to this balanced and collaborative progress.