Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

WASHINGTON WATCH

White House releases AI action plan

Combatting deepfakes and synthetic media

– Tools to be used include the Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer programs, CHIPS R&D programs, and au thorities under the Defense Production Act.

– The administration cites risks from malicious AI-generated media, including audio, video and images. – The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is tasked with develop ing its “Guardians of Forensic Evidence” deepfake evaluation program into formal guide lines and voluntary forensic benchmarks. – The Department of Justice (DOJ) will issue guidance for agencies that engage in adju dications to consider adopting a deepfake standard similar to proposed changes to the Fed eral Rules of Evidence. – DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy will file formal comments on the matter. Facial recognition and international governance – The administration states that international bodies — including the UN, OECD, G7, G20, ITU and ICANN — have advanced AI frameworks that in some cases promote

The Trump administration re leased its AI Action Plan, outlining 90 federal policy actions the admin istration will pursue in the coming weeks and months. The 23-page blueprint is described as the admin istration’s most significant directive on artificial intelligence to date and was mandated by President Trump shortly after taking office in January. According to the administra tion, the AI Action Plan is intended to support U.S. leadership in AI innovation, expand energy and infrastructure to support AI devel opment and protect against national security and public safety threats. Of note, the plan includes the following: Drones and next-generation manufacturing – The federal government will prioritize investment in emerging technologies such as autonomous drones, robotics and related systems. – The plan calls for development and scaling of manufacturing technologies via the Depart ment of Defense (DOD), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of En ergy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF) and other agencies. – The Department of Commerce, through NTIA, is directed to convene industry and govern ment stakeholders to identify supply chain challenges re lated to American robotics and drone manufacturing.

According to the administration,

the AI Action Plan is intended to support U.S. leadership in AI innovation, expand energy and infrastructure to support AI development

and protect against national security and public safety threats.

Protecting commercial and government AI systems

– The Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Home land Security (DHS) and the Commerce Department’s AI Security Initiative (CAISI), along with the intelligence community, will collaborate with private-sector AI develop ers to mitigate security risks to AI systems. – This includes threats such as cyberattacks, insider threats and intellectual property theft.

regulations or cultural norms misaligned with U.S. values. – The plan highlights con

cerns over Chinese influence in shaping international AI standards, particularly in facial recognition and surveillance technologies. – The Department of State (DOS) and Department of Commerce (DOC) are directed

Winter 2025-2026 | Corrections Today

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