Artificial intelligence has become an essential tool in our daily lives and has fundamentally changed the ways in which we communicate and work with each other.
In recent years, the federal government has sought to promote AI technology development and adoption through a number of important initiatives, including the National AI Initiative Act, the AI in Government Act, and the National AI Advisory Committee, which advises the president on issues of US competitiveness and improving AI opportunities across the…
READ MORE
Artificial intelligence has become an essential tool in our daily lives and has fundamentally changed the ways in which we communicate and work with each other.
In recent years, the federal government has sought to advance AI technology development and adoption through a number of important initiatives, including the National AI Initiative Act., the AI in Government Act, and the National AI Advisory Committee, which advises the president on issues of American competitiveness and strengthening AI opportunities across the country. While these efforts underscore the government’s commitment to AI research and innovation, federal leaders should pay special attention to policies and programs that strengthen entrepreneurs. Startups and small businesses are developing and introducing new AI-enabled solutions and accelerating the implementation of AI tools across the public and private sectors.
Driving AI innovation
Entrepreneurs and small businesses have long served as the main drivers of innovation in emerging technology. In fact, small firms regularly produce more patents per employee than large firms, and those patents are typically associated with higher technological impact and growth.
Strengthening AI innovation and adoption in the United States and sustaining our nation’s leadership position in this technology can be supported by a policymaking environment that not only creates significant opportunities for AI entrepreneurs and small businesses, but also removes cumbersome barriers, including the high cost of computing. resources, the lack of high-quality data and the lack of AI talent. These challenges affect companies of all sizes, but they are often felt most acutely by entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Inspiring entrepreneurial spirit
Government agencies can help lower these barriers and support AI entrepreneurs and small businesses by leveraging its role as a buyer, regulator and infrastructure provider of technology. Four examples exemplify how government can activate these roles:
1) Increase access to low-cost computing infrastructure: startups often face challenges when it comes to acquiring essential resources, such as cloud computing systems. The government can help remove this barrier by encouraging large technology firms to increase access to critical products and services.
2) Bringing together cross-sector consortia to overcome data barriers: Joint initiatives such as the EU Partnership on AI, Data and Robotics can help stimulate industry investment, boost academic collaboration and mobilize public-private partnerships to address low-quality data barriers. The US interagency’s critical role in promoting and coordinating COVID-19 vaccine development offers another template for stimulating and networking rapid technological progress. The federal government can take a similar approach by establishing a cross-sector body that encourages collaboration and information sharing across the United States.
3) Develop free market work visas for AI talent: The government can help increase America’s AI talent pool by adjusting employer sponsorship requirements for foreign AI professionals so that emerging technology firms can more easily tap into this talent pool.
4) Support contract certification programs: Federal agencies can work with emerging technology companies during the AI development process to help ensure these new technologies meet rigorous FedRAMP standards. This type of constructive collaboration can help improve efficiency and resource allocation and prevent contractors from being pushed out of government contracts due to lengthy and expensive certification processes.
Paving the way for future AI advancements
AI is poised to continue to drive dramatic impacts and advances in the public and private sectors. The future of AI is likely to be shaped in part by the countless entrepreneurs and small businesses that catalyze innovation, and by the ability of government to nurture and support these innovators.
By applying the right tools, rules and resources, the federal government can foster an environment that enables AI-driven small businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. It’s time for government to help foster the next generation of cutting-edge AI technology and innovation.
Tasha Austin is a principal with Deloitte & Touche LLP. She helps lead Deloitte’s artificial intelligence and data analytics practice for government and serves as the director of the Deloitte AI Institute for Government.
