FLI Policy Work

The Future of Life Institute (FLI) is a leading non-profit working at the nexus of emerging technology and governance. Since our inception in 2014, FLI has led and participated in numerous efforts to improve the governance of AI technologies nationally and internationally, and in both the private and public sectors. For example, our activities range from the development of the Asilomar AI Principles, which are signed by thousands of leading minds in AI research and industry, to supporting the UN Secretary General as the civil society “champion” on recommendations related to AI in the Digital Cooperation Roadmap, to providing formal input on regulations and government policy proposals in the US and internationally.

International Engagement

Asilomar AI Principles

FLI organizes leading, invite-only conferences with AI experts to improve coordination and collective thinking on the future of AI. In 2017, the widely-endorsed Asilomar AI Principles resulted from one such conference on beneficial AI, which are broadly recognized as formative to many subsequent AI ethics and governance efforts. We believe that meetings of experts from industry and academia, and from across the globe, can significantly improve common understanding and improve our collective future.

United Nations

FLI regularly engages with the United Nations, and is honored to be the civil society co-champion of AI-related work in the Secretary-General’s Digital Cooperation Roadmap. FLI also works to advance better international governance of lethal autonomous weapons with U.N. agencies and under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

European Union

FLI is an active participant in the ongoing debate about future governance efforts by the European Commission on AI. For example, read our Position Paper on the EU AI Act, visit our dedicated website or read the open letter signed by leading AI experts. FLI has also advised on the development of the EU’s Assessment List for Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ALTAI) as well as on new AI liability rules. FLI is registered in the EU Transparency Register under number 787064543128-10.

Multilateral Organizations

FLI frequently consults with policymakers on the establishment of multilateral organizations on the governance of AI, including during the creation of the AI Policy Observatory of the OECD and the Global Partnership on AI. FLI is honored to continue our support for the work of these important collaborations, including as part of the OECD Network of Experts on AI (ONE AI). We believe these forums can valuably contribute to the creation of policies, best practices, and norms for AI around the world.

U.S. Engagement

Federal Agencies

FLI influences the administrative policymaking of U.S. federal agencies related to AI, both through private consultations with government officials and through formal public responses to proposed policy. For example, often in productive collaboration with partners, FLI has produced thoughtful responses found: here on the Office of Management and Budget on the draft version of its now final regulatory guidance for AI applications; here and here on the development AI guidance (e.g., Federal AI Standards Engagement Plan) by the National Institute of Standards of Technology, and here on early regulatory efforts on the use of AI in the housing market. We look forward to continuing to improve U.S. governance of AI.

U.S. Congress

Publicly and privately, FLI advocates for improved laws related to the U.S. governance of AI and other emerging technologies. Our advocacy covers a wide swath of legislative efforts in both the House and Senate. For example, FLI was proud to support the newly-enacted National AI Initiative Act of 2020 (see our letters of support sent separately and in collaboration with other leading civil society organizations). We believe that such advocacy is critical to an informed democracy.

AI in national security

FLI advises on the development of ethical guidelines for the use of AI by the U.S. military, and for a sound national security strategy related to emerging technology. For example, see our public comments here to the Defense Innovation Board and, in collaboration with partners, here to the National Security Commission on AI. Our work aims to improve the U.S. national security community’s appreciation for and management of the risks and benefits presented by AI and other emerging technology.

State government

FLI also assists state governments throughout the U.S. with their early efforts to govern AI and other emerging technologies. For example, FLI holds senior briefings with state legislators and are grateful that California has formally endorsed the Asilomar AI Principles. We strongly believe that states can be the laboratories of democracy on proper governance for emerging technologies.