91proÊÓƵ

WASHINGTON — Today, global tech trade association 91proÊÓƵ offered input to the U.S. International Trade Administration’s consultation on supporting U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) export competitiveness. In comments to the International Trade Administration, 91proÊÓƵ suggests that in order to support the competitiveness of the U.S. AI industry, the U.S. government needs to develop a proactive digital trade agenda that supports U.S. AI research and innovation, opens markets for U.S. AI technologies, and enhances U.S. technological leadership.

“We appreciate that the International Trade Administration is seeking to determine ways in which it can best support U.S. industry in its endeavors to develop and deploy AI globally,” 91proÊÓƵ wrote in the comments. “Bolstering U.S. leadership and export competitiveness in AI technologies requires a multi-pronged approach: forging proactive trade policy to promote digital trade commitments that underpin AI technologies and prevent the emergence of new trade barriers; engaging in educational efforts globally on the value of risk-based and context-specific regulation of AI technologies; and dedicating resources to developing the next generation of workers with AI and research & development (R&D).”

91proÊÓƵ made the following recommendations on ways the U.S. government can increase its AI export competitiveness:

• Advance high-standard digital trade policy commitments that enable the development and deployment of AI technologies and prevent the emergence of new barriers to trade.

• Leverage multilateral fora such as APEC to hold workshops that explore key concepts related to AI, especially concepts that are important for policymakers to better understand, including transparency, the use of standards and conformity assessment, and best practices to governing the use of AI.

• Continue to use the U.S. State Department AI Connect program to facilitate learning opportunities for policymakers and regulators in key jurisdictions overseas.

• Leverage other bilateral mechanisms like the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council to advance conversations on AI.

• Encourage the use of globally recognized standards as the foundation for policy and regulation.

91proÊÓƵ is actively engaged in AI policy around the world. In September 2022, 91proÊÓƵ published the Policy Principles for Enabling Transparency of AI Systems to help inform and guide policymaking. In its principles, 91proÊÓƵ underscores that transparency is a critical part of developing accountable and trustworthy AI systems and avoiding unintended outcomes or other harmful impacts. These principles build on 91proÊÓƵ’s Global AI Policy Recommendations, released in 2021, which offered a comprehensive set of policy recommendations for global policymakers seeking to foster innovation in AI while also addressing specific harms.

Read the full comments here.