WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has introduced new regulations concerning the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) within U.S. national security and intelligence agencies. These guidelines aim to harness the significant advantage of AI technology while also addressing the associated risks.

The announcement made on Thursday is intended to allow national security agencies to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies while simultaneously putting measures in place to prevent their misuse. Officials from the administration, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that the new rules were developed to safeguard against potential threats that AI could pose if inadequately managed.

AI’s recent growth has been recognized as potentially revolutionary across many sectors, including military and national security. Nonetheless, the government faces challenges regarding the technology’s applications, such as its potential use in mass surveillance, cyberattacks, and even as part of lethal autonomous weapon systems.

Under the new policy framework, specific applications of AI will be banned outright. This includes any use that infringes upon constitutionally protected civil liberties or automates the launch of nuclear weapons. In addition, the initiative encourages ethical practices by urging national security agencies to adopt the most advanced AI technologies while ensuring these align with American values.

Furthermore, the new guidelines advocate for enhanced security measures within the country’s computer chip supply chain and instruct intelligence agencies to prioritize efforts to shield U.S. industries from foreign espionage threats.

These regulations are a product of a comprehensive executive order that President Biden signed last year, which mandated federal agencies to establish regulations governing the use of AI. Administration officials emphasized the importance of these rules not only for responsible AI usage but also to stimulate the advancement of new AI technologies, ensuring that the United States remains competitive with countries like China that are similarly looking to leverage AI.

Concerns regarding the military application of AI remain significant, specifically regarding lethal autonomous drones that can engage targets independently. Last year, the United States advocated for global collaboration to establish standards governing the use of such autonomous weapon systems.