Upcoming Feedback Opportunity on Dual-Use Foundation Models

By Chris Leong @ 2023-11-02T04:30 (+9)

From Biden's recent executive order:

"4.6.  Soliciting Input on Dual-Use Foundation Models with Widely Available Model Weights.  When the weights for a dual-use foundation model are widely available — such as when they are publicly posted on the Internet — there can be substantial benefits to innovation, but also substantial security risks, such as the removal of safeguards within the model.  To address the risks and potential benefits of dual-use foundation models with widely available weights, within 270 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, and in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall:

     (a)  solicit input from the private sector, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders through a public consultation process on potential risks, benefits, other implications, and appropriate policy and regulatory approaches related to dual-use foundation models for which the model weights are widely available, including:

          (i)    risks associated with actors fine-tuning dual-use foundation models for which the model weights are widely available or removing those models’ safeguards;

          (ii)   benefits to AI innovation and research, including research into AI safety and risk management, of dual-use foundation models for which the model weights are widely available; and

          (iii)  potential voluntary, regulatory, and international mechanisms to manage the risks and maximize the benefits of dual-use foundation models for which the model weights are widely available; and

     (b)  based on input from the process described in subsection 4.6(a) of this section, and in consultation with the heads of other relevant agencies as the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, submit a report to the President on the potential benefits, risks, and implications of dual-use foundation models for which the model weights are widely available, as well as policy and regulatory recommendations pertaining to those models."

This seems important since the open-sourcing of model weights essentially leads to the irreversible proliferation of capabilities. I suspect that there's a surprisingly high chance that a good future depends on the right outcome being achieved here.