In an effort to manage the risks associated with artificial intelligence, the US government has issued a landmark Executive Order (EO) to help the country seize the opportunities and manage the risks of artificial intelligence. The EO not only establishes new guidelines to protect the privacy of its citizens.
To foster innovation and attract great AI talent to the country, it seeks to use existing authorities to expand the ability of highly skilled immigrants and non-immigrants with AI expertise to study, reside, and work in the United States by modernising and streamlining visa criteria, interviews, and adjudications.
Impact of the executive order on immigration
According to experts, this is expected to be beneficial for Indian IT professionals in America and would mean faster H1B, O-1, F1, Green Card for work and study in AI fields. EB1-B and EB2 criteria are also expected to change to give priority to workers in the AI field.
In his blog, Anil Gupta, an immigration expert from the US, elaborates that the executive order may not lead to additional green cards or any country-specific benefits. Therefore, he says, they may reform the EB1 and EB2 categories. It is possible that USCIS will create a relaxed or separate category within EB1-B where they will allow people to work in the AI field,’ Anil writes.
‘The new guidance is intended to analyse, create and publish policies that will help foreign nationals working in the AI field to stay and convert to green card status. It will also
Create a program to identify and attract top AI talent from US universities, research institutions, and the private sector overseas.
Expedited visa renewals for AI workers within the US (through the pilot programme starting in 2024).
Faster processing of H1B, O-1 and J-1 visas and expedited visa appointments for people working in AI fields.
Support and attract foreign nationals with special skills in AI and other critical and emerging technologies to work, study, or conduct research in the United States.
Key points from the Executive Order on AI
The Executive Order also calls on Congress to pass bipartisan data privacy legislation, and to take steps to combat algorithmic discrimination and provide clear guidance to prevent AI-induced discrimination in housing, federal benefits, and federal contracts, as part of the EO’s agenda to advance equality and civil rights.
The order aims to balance AI’s promise of increased productivity with potential threats such as job displacement and workplace surveillance, and advocates for collective bargaining and workforce training. By catalysing AI research and promoting a fair, open, and competitive AI ecosystem, the EO aims to maintain America’s leadership in AI innovation.
The US government plans to work with international partners to develop robust frameworks for the safe, secure, and trustworthy global deployment of AI.
