AI is transforming our world—are we ready to govern it? A future Department of Technology will codify AI’s three levels, known as RMS (Responsive, Memorable, and Sentient), to standardize legislation across all levels of government. Imagine clear, consistent AI laws that protect society and fuel innovation. Explore how this vision will shape AI governance in our latest blog post.
As of August 2024, for reference, current popular Memorable level AI systems are ChatGPT, Claude AI, Google Gemini, IBM Watson, Microsoft Azure AI, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, OpenAI Codex, DeepMind AlphaGo, Baidu Ernie Bot.
While numerous, competing, complex, and constantly evolving terminologies attempt to classify various levels of AI in society, government, and academia, we believe our broad three-level classification is the most straightforward, logical, and practical for clarity of purpose and meaning in AI legislation, regulation, and oversight.
Now let’s explain the who, what, where, when, why, and how our codifying our three levels of artificial intelligence known as RMS works.
Who:
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), the need for a coherent and standardized framework for understanding and regulating AI technology has never been more urgent. A future Department of Technology, as advocated by the visionary platform at Department of Technology, will play a pivotal role in this endeavor. This department will not only guide the technological progress of our nation but also ensure that AI development and deployment are aligned with ethical, legal, and societal standards. It will bring together technologists, lawmakers, ethicists, and industry leaders to create a unified approach to AI governance across federal, state, county, and municipal levels.
What:
One of the core missions of this future Department of Technology will be to codify and standardize the terminology used to describe AI’s different levels, creating a clear, easy to understand and recognize, and universally accepted language for legislation.
Currently, our DoT AI terms are:
- Responsive: Task-specific AI systems with no memory, responding to specific inputs with pre-determined outputs.
- Memorable: AI systems that use past experiences to inform future decisions, improving over time with limited memory. To reiterate, as mentioned previously, examples of Memorable AI are ChatGPT, Claude AI, Google Gemini, IBM Watson, Microsoft Azure AI, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, OpenAI Codex, DeepMind AlphaGo, Baidu Ernie Bot.
- Sentient: Theoretical AI systems that understand others’ beliefs, desires, and intentions, and have a sense of self and consciousness.
However, these terms lack formal recognition and consistency in legislative contexts.
The Department of Technology will establish these levels as official categories, providing a foundation for future laws and regulations that address AI development, deployment, and oversight.
Where:
The codification of AI terminology will impact legislation at all levels of government—federal, state, county, and municipal. By standardizing AI terminology, the Department of Technology will ensure that AI-related laws are consistent and interoperable across jurisdictions. This will prevent the fragmentation of AI regulation, where different states or municipalities might otherwise develop conflicting standards. A standardized approach will facilitate smoother interstate commerce, cooperation, and enforcement of AI regulations, ensuring that AI benefits all citizens equally, regardless of their location.
When:
The establishment of a Department of Technology and the codification of AI terminology should be pursued as a priority in the coming years. As AI technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the risks of unregulated or poorly regulated AI become more significant. Legislators at all levels of government are already grappling with AI-related issues, from privacy concerns to the ethical implications of autonomous systems. By acting swiftly to standardize AI terminology, the Department of Technology can provide lawmakers with the tools they need to craft effective legislation that keeps pace with technological advancements.
Why:
The standardization of AI terminology is essential for several reasons. First, it will provide clarity in legislative language, ensuring that all stakeholders—lawmakers, technologists, businesses, and the public—are on the same page when discussing AI. This clarity will reduce confusion and misinterpretation, which can lead to legal loopholes or unintended consequences in AI regulation. Second, a standardized framework will facilitate better education and public understanding of AI, empowering citizens to engage in informed debates about the technology’s role in society. Finally, standardized AI terminology will support the development of fair and consistent regulations that protect public safety, privacy, and civil liberties while promoting innovation.
How:
The Department of Technology will undertake a comprehensive process to codify and standardize AI terminology. This process will involve extensive research, consultation, and collaboration with experts in AI, law, ethics, and public policy. The department will develop a detailed framework that defines each level of AI, outlining the characteristics, capabilities, and ethical considerations associated with each level. This framework will then be integrated into legislative templates and guidelines, which will be distributed to lawmakers at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels.
The Department of Technology will also work closely with international organizations and standards bodies to ensure that the U.S. framework aligns with global best practices. This collaboration will help position the United States as a leader in AI governance, setting the standard for responsible AI development worldwide.
Summary
As AI continues to reshape our world, the need for clear, consistent, and effective regulation becomes ever more pressing. A future Department of Technology, as envisioned at Department of Technology, will be at the forefront of this effort, codifying and standardizing our three levels of AI terminology for use in legislation at all levels of government. By providing a common language for AI regulation, the department will help ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in ways that benefit society, protect individual rights, and promote innovation. The time to act is now, and the Department of Technology is the key to unlocking a future where AI serves the public good.