In just two years since becoming the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Arati Prabhakar has made significant strides in the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States. As the first woman and person of color to hold this position, Prabhakar has demonstrated her leadership abilities by breaking through glass ceilings in various agencies, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Prabhakar's dedication to IEEE's mission is evident in her continuous membership and belief that engineering should create value for society. She emphasizes the importance of technology benefiting humanity and the role of engineering in shaping the world. When U. S. President Joe Biden approached her about the OSTP job, Prabhakar immediately accepted the opportunity. She recognized Biden's commitment to incorporating science and technology into building a brighter future for the country. Shortly after assuming office, Prabhakar witnessed the widespread impact of AI through the introduction of the generative AI program ChatGPT.

This visibility prompted the Biden administration to prioritize AI regulation due to its extensive capabilities and rapid development. Prabhakar played a leading role in the creation of Biden's Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. Issued on October 30, 2022, the order aims to protect consumers and their privacy, develop watermarking systems for AI-generated content, and prevent intellectual property theft associated with generative models. This executive order is considered a significant accomplishment in the field of AI regulation, mobilizing the executive branch of the U. S. government and recognizing the risks and opportunities posed by AI systems. Additionally, the United States led efforts at the United Nations to make international AI regulation a priority, resulting in the adoption of a resolution in March. While Prabhakar acknowledges that more work remains to be done, she expresses her pride in the progress made under President Biden's leadership and her gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to these efforts.