The AI Training Transparency Act

A proposed bill from The Ethical AI Training Organization

7/17/202313 min read

*The following is a template for a proposed bill by the Ethical AI Training Organization. It includes an outline of the bill and the bill itself.

The AI Training Transparency Act seeks to:

1) Mandate comprehensive record-keeping of data used to train AI systems.

2) Oblige AI companies to disclose their training data upon public request.

3) Establish a standardized framework for AI training transparency.

[Official Format for a Proposed Bill]

BILL NUMBER: [Insert Bill Number]

TITLE: AI Training Transparency Act

Sponsored by: [Insert Name of Sponsor] Date Introduced: [Insert Date]

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "AI Training Transparency Act."

SECTION 2: FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

(a) Findings:

The rapid advancement of AI technology necessitates the development and deployment of these technologies in an ethical and responsible manner.
Transparency in AI training processes is crucial for understanding potential biases, influences, and the underlying data that shapes AI models.

(b) Purpose: The purpose of this Act is to establish requirements and guidelines for AI training transparency, mandating data record-keeping, public disclosure of training data, and promoting ethical AI development practices.

SECTION 3: MANDATE DATA RECORD KEEPING

(a) Requirement: All AI companies and developers shall be required to maintain comprehensive records of the data, including photos and videos, used in the training of their AI models.

(b) Security and Accessibility:

The records mentioned in subsection (a) shall be securely stored to protect sensitive information.
These records shall be readily accessible for auditing purposes by the relevant regulatory body.

SECTION 4: PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF TRAINING DATA

(a) Obligation: AI companies and developers shall provide access to their training data records upon request by the public.

(b) Public Accessibility:

AI companies and developers shall make the records available through a publicly accessible repository or by other means that facilitate transparency.
The accessibility of records shall be in compliance with relevant privacy laws and regulations.

SECTION 5: STANDARDIZED FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSPARENCY

(a) Establishment: The relevant regulatory body shall establish a standardized framework that outlines the requirements and guidelines for AI training transparency.

(b) Consistency and Uniformity: The standardized framework mentioned in subsection (a) shall ensure consistency and uniformity across the AI industry.

SECTION 6: BENEFITS

(a) Enhanced Public Trust: Transparent practices foster public trust by enabling individuals, researchers, and policymakers to evaluate the ethical implications, potential biases, and fairness of AI systems.

(b) Independent Scrutiny: Open access to training data encourages independent scrutiny, allowing third-party organizations and experts to assess and identify potential biases or discriminatory outcomes in AI models.

(c) Ethical AI Development: Mandating transparency promotes responsible AI development practices, reducing the risks of unethical use and helping to mitigate any unintended negative consequences.

SECTION 7: IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT

(a) Penalties for Non-Compliance: Non-compliance with the transparency requirements shall result in penalties, including fines, suspension, or revocation of licenses, as determined by the relevant regulatory body.

(b) Regulatory Oversight: A dedicated regulatory body shall be established to oversee compliance with the AI Training Transparency Act, provide guidelines, and conduct audits of AI companies and developers.

(c) Public Awareness and Education: The government shall allocate resources to raise public awareness and provide education about the importance of AI training transparency and its impact on society.

SECTION 8: EFFECTIVE DATE This Act shall take effect [Insert Date] following its passage.

SECTION 9: SEVERABILITY If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

SECTION 10: ENACTMENT This bill is enacted into law upon its passage by both houses of Congress and approval by the President.

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "AI Training Transparency Act."

The short title provides a concise and recognizable name for the proposed legislation. In this case, the Act is referred to as the "AI Training Transparency Act" for ease of reference and identification.

SECTION 2: FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

(a) Findings:

The rapid advancement of AI technology necessitates the development and deployment of these technologies in an ethical and responsible manner.
Transparency in AI training processes is crucial for understanding potential biases, influences, and the underlying data that shapes AI models.

(b) Purpose:

The purpose of this Act is to establish requirements and guidelines for AI training transparency, mandating data record-keeping, public disclosure of training data, and promoting ethical AI development practices. The objectives of this Act are as follows:

Mandate Data Record Keeping: a. All AI companies and developers shall be required to maintain comprehensive records of the data, including photos and videos, used in the training of their AI models. b. These records shall be securely stored to protect sensitive information. c. The records shall be readily accessible for auditing purposes by the relevant regulatory body.
Public Disclosure of Training Data: a. AI companies and developers shall provide access to their training data records upon request by the public. b. The records shall be made available through a publicly accessible repository or by other means that facilitate transparency. c. The accessibility of records shall be in compliance with relevant privacy laws and regulations.
Standardized Framework for Transparency: a. The relevant regulatory body shall establish a standardized framework that outlines the requirements and guidelines for AI training transparency. b. The standardized framework shall ensure consistency and uniformity across the AI industry.

The enactment of this Act aims to enhance public trust by fostering transparent practices, enabling individuals, researchers, and policymakers to evaluate the ethical implications, potential biases, and fairness of AI systems. Open access to training data will encourage independent scrutiny, allowing third-party organizations and experts to assess and identify potential biases or discriminatory outcomes in AI models. Furthermore, by mandating transparency, this legislation promotes responsible AI development practices, reducing the risks of unethical use and helping to mitigate any unintended negative consequences.

SECTION 3: MANDATE DATA RECORD KEEPING

(a) Requirement:

All AI companies and developers shall be required to maintain comprehensive records of the data, including photos and videos, used in the training of their AI models.
The records shall include information such as the source of the data, data collection methods, data preprocessing techniques, and any modifications made to the original data.
The records shall also document the algorithms, parameters, and methodologies used in the training process.

(b) Security and Accessibility:

The records mentioned in subsection (a) shall be securely stored to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, tampering, or loss.
The AI companies and developers shall implement appropriate security measures to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the training data records.
Access to the records shall be limited to authorized personnel or auditors involved in regulatory oversight and compliance.

The AI companies and developers shall retain the training data records for a minimum period of [insert time frame], starting from the date of completion of the training process.
The retention period may be extended if required by law or regulatory guidelines.

(d) Auditing and Compliance:

The relevant regulatory body shall have the authority to conduct audits of AI companies and developers to ensure compliance with the data record-keeping requirements.
During an audit, the regulatory body may review the training data records, request additional information or documentation, and assess the adherence to transparency guidelines.

(e) Non-Disclosure of Sensitive Information:

The AI companies and developers shall take necessary measures to remove or de-identify any personally identifiable information or sensitive data from the training data records before making them accessible for auditing purposes.
The regulatory body shall establish guidelines and standards for the de-identification of sensitive information to protect individual privacy.

(f) Collaboration with Regulatory Body:

AI companies and developers shall cooperate fully with the regulatory body in providing access to the training data records and any additional information required for the purposes of auditing and compliance.
Failure to cooperate or provide accurate and complete records may result in penalties as determined by the relevant regulatory body.

(g) Reporting:

AI companies and developers shall submit regular reports to the regulatory body, detailing the maintenance and security measures implemented for the training data records.
The reports shall also include any updates or changes made to the record-keeping processes and any incidents or breaches of data security that have occurred.

(h) Guidelines:

The regulatory body shall provide guidelines and standards for the secure storage, retention, and accessibility of training data records, ensuring consistency and uniformity in compliance with the AI Training Transparency Act.

(i) Confidentiality:

The regulatory body shall ensure the confidentiality of any proprietary or trade secret information disclosed during the auditing process, as required by applicable laws and regulations.

(j) Enforcement:

Non-compliance with the data record-keeping requirements shall result in penalties, including fines, suspension, or revocation of licenses, as determined by the relevant regulatory body.

(k) Effective Date:

The data record-keeping requirements outlined in this section shall take effect [insert date] following the enactment of the AI Training Transparency Act.

SECTION 4: PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF TRAINING DATA

(a) Obligation:

AI companies and developers shall have an obligation to provide access to their training data records upon request by the public.
The public shall have the right to request and receive information regarding the data used in the training of AI models.

(b) Public Accessibility:

AI companies and developers shall make the training data records available through a publicly accessible repository or by other means that facilitate transparency.
The accessibility of the records shall be provided in a manner that promotes ease of use and understanding for the general public.

The disclosure of training data records shall be in compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations.
AI companies and developers shall take appropriate measures to remove or de-identify any personally identifiable information or sensitive data from the training data records before making them publicly accessible.

(d) Accessibility Guidelines:

The relevant regulatory body shall establish guidelines and standards for the format, structure, and accessibility of the training data records.
These guidelines shall ensure that the public can understand and interpret the data without undue complexity or technical expertise.

(e) Updates and Revisions:

AI companies and developers shall update the publicly accessible training data records as new versions or iterations of AI models are developed or released.
Any significant updates, modifications, or revisions made to the training data records shall be documented and communicated to the public.

(f) Compliance Verification:

The regulatory body shall have the authority to verify the compliance of AI companies and developers with the public disclosure requirements.
The regulatory body may request additional information or documentation from AI companies and developers to ensure transparency and accuracy in the disclosure process.

(g) Intellectual Property Protection:

The public disclosure of training data records shall not infringe upon the intellectual property rights or trade secrets of AI companies and developers.
AI companies and developers may redact or protect proprietary information or trade secrets, as permitted by law, while ensuring the transparency of the training data records.

(h) Effective Date:

The public disclosure requirements outlined in this section shall take effect [insert date] following the enactment of the AI Training Transparency Act.

SECTION 5: STANDARDIZED FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSPARENCY

(a) Establishment:

The relevant regulatory body, in consultation with AI industry experts, academia, and other stakeholders, shall establish a standardized framework for AI training transparency.
The standardized framework shall outline the requirements and guidelines for AI companies and developers to ensure transparency in their training processes.

(b) Transparency Requirements:

The standardized framework shall specify the information that AI companies and developers must provide regarding their AI training processes.
This information may include details about the data sources, data collection methods, data preprocessing techniques, model architecture, training algorithms, and performance evaluation metrics.

The standardized framework shall ensure consistency and uniformity in the implementation of transparency practices across the AI industry.
It shall establish common standards and guidelines that promote clarity, comparability, and interpretability of AI models and their training processes.

(d) Flexibility and Adaptability:

The standardized framework shall be designed to accommodate evolving technologies and methodologies in AI development.
It should allow for flexibility in the disclosure of training data and related information while maintaining the overall objective of transparency.

(e) Stakeholder Engagement:

The regulatory body shall actively engage with stakeholders, including AI companies, developers, researchers, and consumer advocacy groups, during the development and updating of the standardized framework.
The input and feedback received from stakeholders shall be considered in shaping the requirements and guidelines of the framework.

(f) Periodic Review and Updates:

The standardized framework shall be subject to periodic review and updates to reflect advancements in AI technology and best practices.
The regulatory body shall ensure that the framework remains relevant and effective in achieving the objectives of AI training transparency.

(g) Guidelines and Compliance Assistance:

The regulatory body shall provide supplementary guidelines and assistance to AI companies and developers to facilitate compliance with the standardized framework.
These guidelines may include templates, checklists, and resources to help AI companies and developers implement transparent practices effectively.

(h) Effective Date:

The standardized framework for transparency, once established by the regulatory body, shall take effect [insert date] following the enactment of the AI Training Transparency Act.

SECTION 6: BENEFITS

(a) Enhanced Public Trust:

Transparent practices foster public trust by enabling individuals, researchers, and policymakers to evaluate the ethical implications, potential biases, and fairness of AI systems.
The public's ability to access and scrutinize training data records promotes accountability and helps ensure AI systems are developed and deployed in a responsible manner.

(b) Independent Scrutiny:

Open access to training data allows for independent scrutiny by third-party organizations and experts.
This independent scrutiny can help identify potential biases or discriminatory outcomes in AI models, contributing to more fair and unbiased AI systems.

By mandating transparency in AI training processes, this legislation promotes responsible AI development practices.
AI companies and developers will be encouraged to consider the ethical implications of their models and make conscious efforts to mitigate risks and unintended negative consequences.

(d) Innovation and Progress:

Transparent AI training practices foster an environment that encourages innovation and progress in the field.
The availability of training data records to researchers and developers can inspire new approaches, techniques, and advancements in AI technology.

(e) Public Input and Understanding:

Increased transparency allows the public to participate in discussions about AI technology and its impact on society.
Accessible training data records enable individuals to understand the inputs, processes, and potential biases behind AI models, empowering them to contribute to informed decision-making.

(f) Regulatory Oversight and Accountability:

The establishment of a regulatory body ensures effective oversight and enforcement of transparency requirements.
AI companies and developers will be held accountable for their practices, contributing to a responsible and trustworthy AI industry.

(g) Collaborative Problem Solving:

Transparency in AI training fosters collaboration between AI companies, researchers, policymakers, and the public to address challenges and develop solutions together.
Through shared access to training data, stakeholders can work together to identify and rectify any issues or biases in AI models.

(h) Effective Date:

The benefits outlined in this section shall be realized upon the enactment of the AI Training Transparency Act.

SECTION 7: IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT

(a) Penalties for Non-Compliance:

Non-compliance with the transparency requirements outlined in this Act shall result in penalties as determined by the relevant regulatory body.
Penalties may include fines, suspension of operations, or revocation of licenses, depending on the severity and nature of the non-compliance.

(b) Regulatory Oversight:

A dedicated regulatory body shall be established to oversee the implementation and enforcement of the AI Training Transparency Act.
The regulatory body shall have the authority to develop guidelines, conduct audits, and ensure compliance with the transparency requirements.
It shall have the power to investigate complaints, issue warnings, and take appropriate enforcement actions against non-compliant AI companies and developers.

The regulatory body shall conduct periodic audits and compliance checks to assess the adherence of AI companies and developers to the transparency requirements.
These audits may include the review of training data records, verification of disclosure practices, and evaluation of overall compliance with the AI Training Transparency Act.

(d) Remediation Measures:

In cases where non-compliance is identified, the regulatory body shall provide AI companies and developers with an opportunity to rectify the issues and implement necessary corrective measures.
The regulatory body may offer guidance and assistance to promote compliance and facilitate the adoption of transparent practices.

(e) Public Awareness and Education:

The government shall allocate resources to raise public awareness and provide education about the importance of AI training transparency and its impact on society.
Public awareness campaigns, workshops, and educational materials shall be developed to inform the public about their rights, the benefits of transparency, and the potential risks associated with AI technology.

(f) Collaboration with Other Agencies:

The regulatory body shall collaborate with relevant government agencies, industry associations, and research institutions to foster knowledge sharing, best practices, and continuous improvement in AI training transparency.

(g) Effective Date:

The provisions for implementation and enforcement outlined in this section shall take effect immediately upon the enactment of the AI Training Transparency Act.

SECTION 8: EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act shall take effect on [insert effective date] following its passage by both houses of Congress and approval by the President.

Upon the effective date, AI companies and developers shall be expected to comply with the transparency requirements, data record-keeping mandates, public disclosure obligations, and other provisions outlined in the AI Training Transparency Act.

The relevant regulatory body shall have a reasonable transition period to establish necessary guidelines, provide compliance assistance, and conduct public awareness campaigns before enforcing penalties for non-compliance.

Any AI training processes initiated after the effective date shall be subject to the transparency requirements and guidelines set forth in this Act.

Existing AI models and systems shall be encouraged, but not required, to voluntarily comply with the transparency standards outlined in this Act, taking into account practicality, feasibility, and the preservation of trade secrets and proprietary information.

It is the intent of this Act to promote responsible AI development, ensure transparency and accountability in AI training processes, and foster public trust in AI technologies and their applications.

Effective Date: [insert effective date].

SECTION 9: SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

Should any court of competent jurisdiction determine that any part or parts of this Act are unconstitutional or unlawful, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent possible, preserving the intent and purpose of the AI Training Transparency Act.

In the event of a partial invalidation, the regulatory body shall have the authority to make necessary amendments or modifications to ensure the continued effectiveness and enforceability of the Act, while remaining consistent with the objectives and principles set forth herein.

The severability clause is included to ensure that if any portion of the Act is found to be invalid or unenforceable, it does not invalidate the entire Act, but rather allows the remaining portions to remain intact and enforceable.

Severability shall apply to both the individual provisions of this Act and their application to specific persons, entities, or circumstances.

If any provision is severed, the regulatory body shall promptly notify Congress and propose appropriate amendments or alternative measures to address any resulting gaps or conflicts.

Effective Date: Upon the enactment of the AI Training Transparency Act.

SECTION 10: ENACTMENT

This bill is enacted into law upon its passage by both houses of Congress and approval by the President.

Upon enactment, the AI Training Transparency Act shall be binding and enforceable by the relevant regulatory body and other applicable government agencies.

The regulatory body shall have the authority to promulgate regulations, issue guidelines, and take necessary actions to implement the provisions of this Act.

The government shall allocate the necessary resources to support the implementation, enforcement, and public awareness efforts related to the AI Training Transparency Act.

All AI companies and developers operating within the jurisdiction of the United States shall be subject to the requirements and obligations set forth in this Act.

The regulatory body shall work closely with industry stakeholders, consumer advocacy groups, researchers, and other relevant parties to ensure a smooth and effective transition to the requirements of this Act.

This Act shall be regularly reviewed and evaluated to assess its effectiveness in achieving the objectives of promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible AI development.

Effective Date: Upon the enactment of this bill into law.