The Committee on House Administration (CHA) has released its July 2024 Artificial Intelligence Flash Report, offering a detailed look into the ongoing adoption and implementation of AI technologies within various House offices and Legislative Branch agencies. This report, part of a series aimed at maintaining transparency in AI integration, underscores the strides made by these agencies in harnessing AI for operational efficiency and security, while also adhering to the House’s AI Guardrails.
The report highlights several critical advancements made between April and June 2024, focusing on how the House’s AI Guardrails have been integrated into the acquisition process. These guardrails, designed to ensure the responsible use of AI, are now central to evaluating IT approvals that incorporate AI functionality. This quarter, these discussions were solidified into formal approval forms, setting the foundation for future AI-related procurement within the House.
A significant focus of the report is on the Government Publishing Office (GPO), which has taken proactive steps by finalizing its AI Strategy and developing a comprehensive Plan of Action and Milestones. The GPO has initiated three pilot programs as part of its broader AI strategy. These include an internal chatbot to help employees find documents more efficiently, an AI-driven acquisitions support system to streamline procurement processes, and solutions for storing and indexing large volumes of government publications. Additionally, the GPO has announced plans to establish a small AI innovation lab, positioning itself to keep pace with other legislative branch entities.
The Library of Congress (LOC) is also making substantial progress with AI. The LOC’s AI Working Group is refining its approach to comply with the new draft guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding AI reporting. Notably, the Library is set to begin the third round of its Exploring Computational Description experiment, which aims to use machine learning to enhance bibliographic metadata creation from digital materials. This initiative, alongside ongoing AI experiments in IT security and optical character recognition (OCR), demonstrates the Library’s commitment to improving operational efficiency through AI.
The Smithsonian Institution has embarked on intriguing AI pilot projects, including using interconnected microphones to study bird vocalizations and employing drone photography for tree species identification. These projects highlight the innovative ways AI is being utilized beyond traditional administrative functions, emphasizing its potential in research and conservation.
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has made significant strides in establishing AI governance structures, including the creation of an AI Advisory Committee and an AI Power User Group. The AOC is also advancing its AI capabilities through pilots in robotic process automation (RPA) and the use of AI-driven tools for image, audio, and video editing. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to integrate AI responsibly into the AOC’s operations, supported by ongoing risk assessments and staff upskilling.
The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) continues to leverage AI in threat detection and investigation, utilizing non-generative AI tools to enhance security measures. The Capitol Police’s AI Governance Committee is actively developing policies to guide the use and implementation of AI technologies, ensuring that these tools support the broader mission of protecting the congressional community.
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