As the intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and behavioral health continues to grow, it is paramount for professionals in our field to stay informed about the evolving landscape of AI government policies. On October 30, the White House released President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. This article intends to clarify the key components of the AI Executive Order and its potential implications for behavioral health. It also identifies and applies the White House’s five newly proposed AI Bill of Rights to behavioral health.
The President’s AI Executive Order
The AI Executive Order encompasses a comprehensive strategy to bolster AI safety and security, enhance privacy, advance equity and civil rights, and foster innovation and competitiveness in the AI sector.
Herein, we delineate the critical actions directed by the EO:
Enhanced Standards for AI Safety and Security
The EO mandates developers of potent AI systems to disclose safety test outcomes and relevant information to the US government. This is particularly salient for AI applications within behavioral health that may interact with sensitive Protected Health Information and other data, requiring rigorous testing and government oversight before public deployment.
Protection of Privacy
The President has advocated for bipartisan data privacy legislation and has directed federal support for the development of privacy-preserving techniques as behavioral health practitioners; learning about and adopting such practices is crucial in safeguarding client data against the increasing capabilities of AI in data extraction and exploitation.
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Consumer, Patient, and Student Advocacy
The EO calls for responsible AI use in healthcare, potentially impacting how AI tools are used in diagnostic and therapeutic contexts within behavioral health practices.
Workforce Support
The administration is looking into how AI impacts labor markets and is working to develop strategies to support workers facing job disruptions due to AI advancements. This includes implications for the behavioral health workforce and how it adapts to integrating AI technologies.
Advancing Equity and Civil Rights
Measures are set to prevent AI algorithms from exacerbating discrimination in sectors such as housing, justice, and healthcare. This is directly relevant to behavioral health services, ensuring that AI aids rather than hinders the provision of equitable and unbiased care.
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Innovation and Competition Promotion
Supporting AI research and granting access to AI resources will likely spur innovation across all fields, including behavioral health technologies.
Global Leadership and Cooperation
The EO emphasizes international collaboration on AI governance, which aligns with the global nature of the behavioral health field and its reliance on international research and practice standards.
AI Executive Order Implications for Government Use
Agencies are directed to use AI responsibly, with clear standards to
