Google DeepMind, Microsoft, xAI sign agreements with US for early AI security testing

Google DeepMind, Microsoft and xAI have signed agreements with the US government to allow early testing of advanced artificial intelligence models for national security risks, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The department's Center for AI Standards and Innovation said the partnerships will allow pre-deployment testing and research to better assess advanced AI capabilities and improve security.

Evaluation process

The agreements will also let the government evaluate models before public release and conduct post-deployment assessments. The center said it has already completed more than 40 evaluations, including reviews of unreleased frontier AI systems. Developers frequently provide the center with models whose safeguards have been reduced or removed to allow more comprehensive evaluation of national security-related capabilities and risks.

Director's statement

"Independent, rigorous measurement science is essential to understanding frontier AI and its national security implications," Director Chris Fall said. "These expanded industry collaborations help us scale our work in the public interest at a critical moment," Fall added.

Government collaboration

The center has been designated as the primary US government point of contact for industry on testing, collaborative research and best-practice development related to commercial AI systems. The agreements come amid growing concerns about the national security risks posed by advanced AI models, including their potential use for hacking and other malicious activities.