[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50288-50289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17576]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[Docket No.: ITA-2022-0007]
RIN 0625-XC048


Request for Comments on Artificial Intelligence Export 
Competitiveness

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (DOC) has made it a top priority to 
drive U.S. innovation and global competitiveness in critical and 
emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Recognizing 
the growing importance of AI and the impact it can have for 
transforming our economy, industries, and society, the International 
Trade Administration (ITA) is requesting public comments to gain 
insight on the current global AI market and stakeholder concerns 
regarding international AI policies, regulations, and other measures 
which may impact U.S. exports of AI technologies. This stakeholder 
input will provide the DOC with a stronger understanding of the AI 
landscape as AI impacts existing economic sectors and industries, 
creates new areas for innovations, and makes its way into global trade 
discussions.

DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing by October 17, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
    Electronic Submission (Strongly Preferred): Submit all electronic 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter ITA-2022-0007 in the Search box. Click on 
the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach 
your comments.
    Email: [email protected]. Comments submitted by 
email should be machine-readable and should not be copy-protected. 
However, if you are unable to comment via regulations.gov or email, you 
may contact [email protected] for instructions on 
submitting your comments.
    Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or 
individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be 
considered by ITA. All comments received are a part of the public 
record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change.
    Commenters should include the name of the person or organization 
filing the comment. All personal identifying information (for example, 
name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. ITA will not accept anonymous comments.
    For those seeking to submit confidential business information (CBI) 
for Government use only, please clearly mark such submissions as CBI 
and submit an accompanying redacted version to be made public. CBI 
comments can be submitted either through www.regulations.gov (strongly 
preferred) or by email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cameron Small, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Room 28018, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 495-8356; email 
[email protected]. Please direct media inquiries to 
ITA's Office of Public Affairs (202) 482-3809 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commerce Department is focused on 
solidifying U.S. leadership in emerging technologies, including AI, to 
drive U.S. innovation and global competitiveness. The United States 
seeks to promote the development of innovative and trustworthy AI 
systems that respect human rights, democratic values, and are designed 
to enhance privacy protections. The Department of Commerce 
International Trade Administration (ITA) seeks to promote these ideals 
through stakeholder engagement and with the goal of supporting U.S. 
economic interests. In support of its mission to create prosperity by 
strengthening the international competitiveness of U.S. industry, 
promoting trade and investment, and ensuring fair trade and compliance 
with trade laws and agreements, the ITA requests information from 
stakeholders on the global market landscape for AI. This information 
will be used to inform ITA efforts to promote an international 
environment that supports U.S. AI research and innovation, opens 
markets for U.S. AI technologies, and enhance the U.S. technological 
advantage in AI.
    ITA is broadly defining AI as both the goods and services that 
enable AI systems, such as data, algorithms and computing power, as 
well as AI-driven products across all industry verticals, such as 
autonomous vehicles, robotics and automation technology, medical 
devices and healthcare, security technology, and professional and 
business services, among others. This

[[Page 50289]]

notice serves as a general solicitation for public comment as an 
initial step to enhance ITA's understanding of the current global 
market landscape for the deployment of AI technologies, including a 
particular emphasis on rapidly developing AI policy and regulatory 
landscape in foreign markets and the potential impact on U.S. 
competitiveness. ITA seeks input from stakeholders regarding any 
international policies or regulations that impact the ability of U.S. 
companies to develop, deploy, or export advanced and effective AI 
technologies and AI-enabled products and services competitively to 
foreign markets.
    Questions for Comment: This notice serves as an initial step in 
improving ITA's understanding of private sector interests, concerns, 
and policy needs with respect to the potential for exports of AI 
technologies. ITA seeks broad input from all interested stakeholders--
including U.S. industry, researchers, academia, and civil society--on 
the potential opportunities for and challenges to increasing U.S. 
export competitiveness for AI-enabled technologies. Commenters are 
encouraged to address any and all the following questions that pertain 
to their experience or expertise with AI technologies or to submit 
general comments addressing U.S. competitiveness in AI broadly. To the 
extent commenters choose to respond to the specific questions asked, 
responses may be formatted as the commenter prefers.

Request for Comment on Questions Related to AI

    1. What foreign/international AI policies or regulations exist?
    2. What trade barriers currently exist in the AI space? What 
remedies could resolve these trade barriers?
    3. What challenges are there when it comes to exporting AI products 
or services?
    4. How could international AI regulations impact future product or 
service design and development?
    5. What trade policies could be helpful in supporting small-to-
medium sized enterprises that export AI products and services?
    6. Who is involved in standards development activities related to 
AI? In which fora should standards development for AI take place?
    7. What challenges does your organization face with regards to 
protecting your AI intellectual property (IP), especially during 
overseas dealings?
    8. What can the U.S. government do to best foster and protect IP 
rights for U.S. AI technologies in overseas dealings?
    9. How should trustworthiness and risk management of AI systems be 
considered by industry and/or policymakers?
    10. What role do global innovation hubs and regulatory sandboxes 
play in U.S. competitiveness in AI? Please describe specific examples 
of involvement if applicable.
    11. How is U.S. competitiveness (talent, research and development, 
and commercial exports) in AI compared to other countries?
    12. What can the International Trade Administration do to create 
more opportunities for U.S. AI technologies in the global marketplace? 
What impactful actions can ITA take to reduce or remove challenges, 
risks, and barriers to help U.S. AI technologies compete in the global 
marketplace?
    13. How can AI be incorporated into existing and future trade 
agreements to ensure the competitiveness of U.S. industry?

Barton Meroney,
Executive Director, Office of Manufacturing Industries.
[FR Doc. 2022-17576 Filed 8-15-22; 8:45 am]
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