In brief AI software is being offered to sales teams to analyze whether potential customers appear interested during virtual meetings. Sentiment analysis is often used in machine-learning research to detect emotions in underlying text or video, and the technology is now being applied to help people see how possible future clients are feeling in sales pitches to improve results, Protocol reported this month. The COVID-19 pandemic has moved a lot of meetings virtually as employees work from home. "It's very hard to build rapport in a relationship in that type of environment," said Tim Harris, director of product marketing at Uniphore, a software company specializing in conversational analytics. The hope is that sellers may be able to use AI technology to automatically tell when they're boring clients and can immediately change tactics, such as being more empathetic to keep them interested. In addition, reactions to individual products could be included, so that vendors are aware of what Harris calls "emotional state of a deal."

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a fresh appointment of 27 experts to the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, a group formed to advise the president and federal agencies on artificial intelligence policy. The NAIAC was established in late 2021 by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo pursuant to the National AI Initiative Act of 2020, making these experts the first to serve on the panel. "Artificial intelligence presents a new frontier for enhancing our economic and national security, as well as our way of life. Moreover, responsible AI development is instrumental to our strategic competition with China," Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said in a press release. "At the same time, we must remain steadfast in mitigating the risks associated with this emerging technology, and others, while ensuring that all Americans can benefit."

The Commerce Department is actively recruiting candidates to serve on the government's newly-formed National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, or NAIAC--where they'll inform President Joe Biden and agencies on issues raised by the emerging technology. At least nine members will serve up to two consecutive three-year terms on the committee, according to a recently released call for nominations. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is charged with providing administrative support to the high-level group. "The announcement was posted just over a week ago and we have already had a good deal of interest, with more than 65 submissions so far," NIST's Public Affairs Director Jennifer Huergo told Nextgov on Friday. AI is a complex technology that is increasingly prevalent in, and even shaping, many human lives.

The Biden administration's focus on science will include a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence. The Commerce Department, National AI Initiative Office and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy are forming a National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC) to advise the President and federal officials on AI-related issues. NAIAC will provide guidance on several AI concerns, including "competitiveness," employment, scientific progress, the viability of national strategy and future initiative revisions. The committee will also address ethical issues ranging from workforce equity to accountability and algorithmic bias. Members will come from a "broad and interdisciplinary" pool including academics, companies, non-profits and federal labs.