A bipartisan group of senators released a long-awaited legislative plan for artificial intelligence on Wednesday, outlining a bold vision for American leadership in the technology sector. Led by Senate leader Chuck Schumer, the plan calls for significant funding of $32 billion annually by 2026 for research and development in AI.
While the senators emphasized the importance of investing in AI innovation, they provided few details on regulations to address the potential risks associated with the technology. The lawmakers recommended the creation of a federal data privacy law and expressed support for legislation to prevent the use of deepfake technology in election campaigns. However, they acknowledged the need for regulations on AI to address concerns such as health and financial discrimination, job displacement, and copyright violations.
Senator Schumer highlighted the challenges of regulating AI due to its rapid evolution, stating, “It’s very hard to do regulations because AI is changing too quickly. We didn’t want to rush this.” The legislative plan was developed in collaboration with Republican senators Mike Rounds and Todd Young, as well as Democrat Senator Martin Heinrich, following a yearlong listening tour to gather input on new AI technologies.
The decision to delay AI regulation by the senators highlights a growing divide between the United States and the European Union, which recently adopted laws to restrict the riskiest uses of AI. Despite the lack of major tech legislation in Congress in recent years, Senator Schumer’s efforts to address AI regulation have gained momentum through high-profile forums with tech leaders.
While the legislative road map focuses on promoting innovation and domestic research and development, critics like Maya Wiley of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights have raised concerns about the potential harms of AI systems. Wiley emphasized the need for greater scrutiny of AI products to ensure they operate without biases that could harm certain communities.
As the Senate considers AI proposals piecemeal, Senator Schumer expressed optimism that some bills could pass by the end of the year. The evolving nature of AI technology presents a challenge for lawmakers, who must navigate complex issues while striving to maintain American leadership in innovation.
