How can the government promote entrepreneurship in the field of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence has become an essential tool in our daily lives and has fundamentally changed the ways we communicate and work with each other.

In recent years, the federal government has sought to promote the development and adoption of AI technology through a number of important initiatives, including The National Artificial Intelligence Initiative ActAnd the the Amnesty International in Government Lawand the National Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence, who advises the president on issues of U.S. competitiveness and advancing artificial intelligence opportunities across the country. While these efforts underscore the government’s commitment to AI research and innovation, federal leaders must pay special attention to policies and programs that support entrepreneurs. Startups and small businesses develop and deliver new AI-enabled solutions and accelerate the implementation of AI tools across the public and private sectors.

Leading AI innovation

Entrepreneurs and small businesses have long served as primary drivers of innovation in emerging technology. In fact, small businesses regularly Produce more patents per employee compared to large companies, and these patents are usually associated with higher technological impact and growth.

Fostering innovation and adoption of AI in the United States and maintaining our country’s leadership position in this technology can be supported by a policymaking environment that not only creates meaningful opportunities for AI entrepreneurs and small businesses, but also removes onerous barriers, including the high cost of computing resources. and a lack of high-quality data and a lack of AI talent. These challenges affect businesses of all sizes, but are most often felt by entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Inspirational entrepreneurial spirit

Government agencies can help reduce these barriers and support AI entrepreneurs and small businesses by leveraging their role as buyer, regulator, and provider of technology infrastructure. Four avatar examples How can the government activate these roles:

1) Expanding access to low-cost computing infrastructure: Start-up companies often face challenges when it comes to acquiring essential resources, such as cloud computing systems. The government can help eliminate this barrier by incentivizing big tech companies to increase access to critical products and services.

2) Consortiums across sectors to overcome data constraints: joint initiatives such as European Union Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, Data and Robotics It can help spur industry investment, boost academic collaboration, and mobilize public-private partnerships in an effort to address barriers to low-quality data. The critical role of US interagency in advancing and Coordinating the development of a COVID-19 vaccine It offers another model for stimulating and communicating rapid technological progress. The federal government could take a similar approach by creating a cross-sectoral body that encourages collaboration and information exchange across the United States.

3) Develop work visas for an open market for AI talent: The government can help increase the US AI talent pool by adjusting employer sponsorship requirements for foreign AI professionals so that tech start-ups can more easily tap into this talent resource.

4) Support Contract Certification Programs: Federal agencies can work with emerging technology companies throughout the AI ​​development process to help ensure that these new technologies meet rigorous FedRAMP Standards. This kind of constructive collaboration can help improve efficiencies, allocate resources, and prevent entrepreneurs from exiting government contracting due to lengthy and costly accreditation processes.

Paving the way for future AI developments

Artificial intelligence is poised to continue to drive dramatic impacts and developments in the public and private sectors. The future of AI will likely be shaped in part by the myriad entrepreneurs and small businesses that drive innovation, and by government’s ability to nurture and support these innovators.

By applying the right tools, rules, and resources, the federal government can foster an environment where AI-driven small businesses and entrepreneurs can thrive. It’s time for the government to help nurture the next generation of cutting edge AI and innovation.

Tasha Austin is a principal at Deloitte & Touche LLP. She helps lead Deloitte’s AI and data analytics practices for government and serves as a director for Deloitte Institute for Artificial Intelligence for Government.