Emerging Technology
day one project

A National Framework for AI Procurement

06.09.21 | 1 min read | Text by Eva Zhang & Grant Gordon & Katie Jonsson

Summary

As artificial intelligence (AI) applications for public use have proliferated, there has been a large uptick in challenges associated with AI safety and fairness. These challenges are due in part to poor transparency in and standardization of AI procurement protocols, particularly for public-use applications. In this memo, we propose a federal framework—orchestrated through the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) situated in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)—to standardize and guide AI procurement in a safer, fairer manner. While this framework is designed for federal implementation, it is important to recognize that many decisions on AI usage are made by municipalities. The principles guiding the federal framework outlined herein are intended to also help guide development and implementation of similar frameworks for AI procurement at the local level.

publications
See all publications
Emerging Technology
Blog
From 3,700 Applicants We Announce the 2026 AI Safety Fellows Exploring Public Policy at the Frontier

These fellows will be working to turn ambitious ideas into actionable policy – from improving how frontier AI models are evaluated for government use to strengthening biosecurity protections and building the workforce needed to keep AI systems safe. 

10.26.26 | 3 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
Policy Memo
Strengthening EO 14409’s Approach to Frontier AI Through Independent Assessment and Published Criteria for Trusted Partners

AI’s high-stakes outputs directly shape American economic, industrial, and technological outcomes. They must not be accepted entirely on the basis of institutional faith rather than verifiable evidence.

10.09.26 | 13 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
Policy Memo
We Need An Independent AI Evaluation Clearinghouse (IAIEC) to Provide Accreditation, Funding, and Independence in the AI Assurance Ecosystem

The clearinghouse will also neutrally mediate the assignment of auditors to audits—strengthening independence, trust, and ethical governance across the AI ecosystem.

09.28.26 | 17 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
Blog
How AI’s Soft Law Sandcastles Can Become Hard Law Skyscrapers

Soft law was never meant to be a permanent solution. Treating it as one, and letting the sandcastle stand in for the skyscraper indefinitely, is how we end up with a decade of voluntary commitments and no enforceable accountability to show for it.

09.03.26 | 10 min read
read more