The White House has initiated a two-year competition, with a prize fund of nearly $20 million, calling on teams to develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can protect critical US computer code. This move aims to address one of cybersecurity’s most significant challenges. The White House stated that the competition marks the latest step taken by the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure responsible advancements in emerging technologies and safeguard American interests.
Hosted by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the AI Cyber Challenge will begin in early 2023 when AI development teams will demonstrate how their AI-powered tools can protect vital US code that supports the functioning of the internet and other critical infrastructure. The top 20 participating teams will then compete at the DEF CON 2024 cybersecurity conference, with the top five teams advancing to the final round at DEF CON 2025. The three highest-scoring teams in the final competition will receive additional monetary rewards.
To aid participants, the White House has partnered with four companies involved in AI policy development: Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. These organizations will provide access to their technology to meet the competition’s demands. The competition’s goal is to ensure individuals and teams make a significant difference in US and global cybersecurity. The Open Source Security Foundation, a project of the Linux Foundation, will serve as a challenge advisor, contributing to the effective utilization of the winning software code in protecting critical American software and ensuring public safety.
This competition forms part of the Biden administration’s broader efforts to shape AI technology’s development and deployment. In July, the administration secured commitments from seven AI developers to establish safer, more secure, and more transparent AI guidelines. This week, the independent evaluation of large language models driven by AI, developed by these companies, will commence. Administration officials are also working on an executive order relating to AI and pushing for legislation in Congress to regulate AI development.
Congress, however, has yet to pass comprehensive AI regulatory frameworks, despite Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s efforts. Although Schumer intends to hold listening sessions in the fall to help shape an AI bill, progress in this area has been elusive. The formulation of comprehensive AI regulations remains a key priority for the government.
In conclusion, the White House’s launch of the $20 million AI Cyber Challenge signifies the government’s commitment to addressing cybersecurity challenges related to computer code protection. By encouraging the development of innovative AI tools through a competition format, the White House aims to ensure that emerging technologies are responsible and capable of safeguarding American interests. Moreover, the administration’s efforts to shape AI technology align with its commitment to transparency and security. Legislative and regulatory efforts in this area are ongoing and of utmost importance for the government in promoting safer and more secure AI practices.
