Elizabeth Kelly, former economic policy adviser to President Joe Biden, has been appointed as the director of the newly established U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI), U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced on Wednesday. The USAISI, a key initiative aimed at advancing AI safety, is part of the Biden Administration’s broader efforts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate its associated risks.
In her new role, Kelly will lead the institute, which is tasked with developing safety tests for AI models to ensure they are suitable for public use. Secretary Raimondo emphasized that the United States is in a unique position to tackle AI challenges while fostering innovation. “For the United States to lead the world in the development of safe, responsible AI, we need the brightest minds at the helm,” she stated.
Kelly has been a pivotal figure in the Biden Administration’s approach to AI regulation. She was instrumental in the development of the AI Executive Order, which addresses various issues, including the impact of AI on civil rights, privacy protection, and supporting workers and consumers. The order also mandates that AI companies developing large models report their safety test results.
Kelly brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served as a special assistant to the President for economic policy at the White House National Economic Council. Her career spans multiple administrations, including the Obama administration, and she has a background in banking.
The USAISI, created within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a direct response to growing concerns about the rapid advancements in AI and the risks they pose. Vice President Kamala Harris, who announced the creation of the institute in November 2023, noted that it would set rigorous standards for testing the safety of AI models used in public applications.
This announcement follows global efforts to address AI risks, with the U.K. and Japan also establishing their own AI safety institutes. Kelly, in a press release, expressed enthusiasm about the institute’s mission. “I am thrilled to work with the talented NIST team and the broader AI community to advance our scientific understanding and foster AI safety,” she said.
Elham Tabassi, a former associate director at NIST, has been appointed as the chief technology officer of the USAISI, where she will lead the institute’s technical programs.
As AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the U.S. and its international allies are making strides to ensure public safety remains a top priority, balancing technological progress with regulatory measures.
