A group of bipartisan senators, led by United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, is proposing that Congress allocate a minimum of $32 billion over the next three years to advance the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and establish protective measures around it.
This roadmap signifies another attempt by the U.S. government to regulate and promote AI progress. It follows closely on the heels of a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. lawmakers to assist President Joe Biden’s administration in implementing export controls on leading AI models created within the country.
After extensive consultations with industry experts and critics of AI, the bipartisan working group recognized the significance of investing in AI to ensure that the U.S. remains competitive with its international counterparts and enhances the quality of life for Americans. This support for technology could potentially aid in finding cures for certain cancers or chronic illnesses.
While the roadmap does not present a definitive bill or policy proposal, it offers a glimpse into the scale and importance of what lawmakers and relevant stakeholders envision for future AI legislation, setting the stage for more comprehensive and detailed policies to follow.
The senators’ proposal also calls for the enforcement of “existing laws for AI,” including addressing any gaps or unintended biases that may arise. It prioritizes the establishment of standards for testing to comprehend potential AI risks and the development of specific requirements for AI transparency and explainability based on different use cases.
Additionally, the group recommends implementing new transparency requirements as AI products are introduced to the market. They also suggest conducting studies to examine the potential impact of AI on jobs and the U.S. workforce.
The AI Working Group is not the sole entity leading the effort to regulate the rapid advancements in generative AI (genAI) and general AI development and adoption. In February, the National Institute of Standards and Technology established the AI Safety Institute Consortium, which brought together over 200 organizations to establish safety guidelines for AI systems.
According to experts, the U.S. is trailing behind several other nations, such as the European Union, which has taken a significant lead in regulating AI. In March, the EU implemented a comprehensive new law that governs AI across its 27 member states, putting pressure on the U.S. to catch up.
This law introduced safeguards for general-purpose AI, restricted law enforcement’s use of biometric identification systems, prohibited online social scoring, AI manipulation, and the exploitation of user vulnerabilities. It also granted consumers the right to file complaints and receive “meaningful explanations” from AI providers.
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