The General Services Administration (GSA) is prioritizing the adoption of secure artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities through the draft Emerging Technology Framework. The framework focuses on utilizing large language models (LLMs) and aims to strike a balance between AI adoption and overall cloud market support. GSA is seeking feedback from vendors and stakeholders to address challenges and improve the framework.
GSA's Draft Framework Aims to Drive Adoption of Secure AI in Government
( Credit to: Federalnewsnetwork )
The General Services Administration (GSA) is prioritizing the adoption of secure artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities through the draft Emerging Technology Framework. The framework focuses on utilizing large language models (LLMs) and aims to strike a balance between AI adoption and overall cloud market support. GSA is seeking feedback from vendors and stakeholders to address challenges and improve the framework.
The draft Emerging Technology Framework from the cloud security program known as FedRAMP is a crucial component of this effort. It emphasizes the importance of using secure AI and large language models (LLMs) to ensure that agencies can reap the expected benefits. The framework's release in January focuses on emerging technology capabilities that utilize LLMs, including chat interfaces, code-generation and debugging tools, and prompt-based image generators.
By prioritizing and managing the excitement surrounding AI and LLMs, the framework aims to strike the right balance and operationalize the prioritization process. It proposes limiting the prioritization to three services based on chatbots that use generative AI. This ensures that FedRAMP supports the entire cloud market, not solely focused on AI.
GSA is urging vendors and stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft framework to address concerns about backlogs. While the limitations imposed by the framework may pose challenges for vendors, GSA is committed to ensuring that the government's use of emerging technologies is accelerated without hindering other processes or worsening existing backlogs.
GSA needs to address the challenge of determining metrics or benchmarks to determine if a technology fits into one of the three priority categories. The framework is an iterative process, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders is expected to improve it. GSA wants to understand if the metrics used for prioritization are appropriate and if the decision-making process is transparent.
Alongside finalizing the framework, GSA's priorities for FedRAMP include improving the customer experience for agencies and industry users and understanding the costs associated with obtaining approval. GSA aims to align its expectations with vendors regarding the time and cost required to navigate the security process.
GSA's focus on speed as a security property is highlighted, with a willingness to explore process changes and pilot different approaches without compromising security. GSA is open to feedback and committed to improving its processes to meet the needs of stakeholders.
Once the draft memo from the Office of Management and Budget is finalized, GSA will have a new set of priorities to address. GSA encourages stakeholders to bring forth ideas for improvement and not let past experiences hinder progress. GSA is eager to make necessary changes to achieve the delicate balance between speed, security, and stakeholder expectations.
