NTIA Seeks Public Feedback on Risks Associated with Open-Weight AI Models

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently launched a ‘Request for Comment’ on the risks, and benefits associated with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models with widely available model weights.

These ‘open-weight’ models do empower developers to expand and customize existing work, widening access to AI tools for small businesses, researchers, nonprofits, and individuals. While this could hasten the spread of AI benefits and the pace of safety research, it also raises concerns about the potential scale and likelihood of harm from advanced models, the Department of Commerce said.

“NTIA is inviting public feedback about how widely available access to model weights may impact our society and our national security. This is an important piece of the President’s Executive Order and an early step toward ensuring safety, security, and trust in these systems,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

Commenting on the same, Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator, said that open-weight AI models raise important questions around safety challenges and opportunities for competition and innovation. 

“These models can help unleash innovation across communities by making powerful tools accessible, but that same accessibility also poses serious risks. Our Request for Comment will help us chart a policy path to promote both safety and innovation in this important technology,” he added.

Previously, Secretary Raimondo has raised concerns about AI-generated robocalls used nefariously in the 2024 election. 

Earlier this month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned robocalls generated by AI. The decision to ban robocalls was heavily influenced by the fraudulent robocall impersonating President Joe Biden which was circulating ahead of New Hampshire's Democratic primary election.