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NASA Artificial Intelligence Ethics

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Using AI in a trustworthy and ethical manner is important to us.

While use of AI continues to develop, NASA understands that usage must come with governance and protections for the benefit of all. 

NASA Framework for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence

The NASA Framework for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides six key principles to guide NASA’s use of AI. The framework describes each ethical AI principle and applies it to work done at NASA. It also includes a list of questions that practitioners should use to guide their AI work. The framework focuses on concrete, practical considerations for the next five to ten years, while also beginning to lay the foundation for longer-term disruptive change as human-level (or beyond) AI is developed.

The NASA Framework for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides six key principles to guide NASA’s use of AI. Artificial Intelligence at NASA is… Fair: AI systems must include considerations regarding how to treat people, including refining solutions to mitigate discrimination and bias, prevent covert manipulation, and support diversity and inclusion. Explainable and Transparent: Solutions must clearly state if, when, and how an AI system is involved, and AI logic and decisions must be explainable. AI solutions must protect intellectual property and include risk management in their construction and use. AI systems must be documented. Accountable: Organizations and individuals must be accountable for the systems they create, and organizations must implement AI governance structures to provide oversight. AI developers should consider potential misuse or misinterpretation of AI-derived results (intentional or otherwise) and take steps to mitigate negative impact. Secure and Safe: AI systems must respect privacy and do no harm. Humans must monitor and guide machine learning processes. AI system risk tradeoffs must be considered when determining benefit of use. Human-Centric and Societally Beneficial: AI systems must obey human legal systems and must provide benefits to society. At the current state of AI, humans must remain in charge, though future advancements may cause reconsideration of this requirement. Scientifically and Technically Robust: AI systems must adhere to the scientific method NASA applies to all problems, be informed by scientific theory and data, robustly tested in implementation, well-documented, and peer-reviewed in the scientific community.

NASA’s Responsible Artificial Intelligence Plan

NASA is committed to responsible use of AI in all of its activities and in all phases of development and deployment of its space and terrestrial programs missions. This plan adheres to the Responsible AI (RAI) principles set and laid down by the White House in its Presidential Executive Order 13960.

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Cover of NASA's Responsible AI plan