On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a bipartisan group of senators unveiled an extensive blueprint aimed at guiding congressional efforts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) through forthcoming legislation. This 31-page roadmap, released this week, advocates for substantial government investment to accelerate AI research and development, echoing Schumer’s and others’ previous commitments to bolster U.S. innovation in this fiercely competitive field.
Among its directives, the roadmap tasks multiple Senate committees with devising safeguards to address significant AI risks, including discrimination, job displacement, and election interference. Schumer emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive, bipartisan approach, highlighting the leadership of their AI working group in this endeavor.
The document proposes various measures aligned with established congressional objectives, such as crafting a national data privacy law to empower consumers and regulate AI firms’ data practices. Some recommendations draw inspiration from EU legislation, including a suggested prohibition on AI applications resembling China’s social scoring systems.
Additionally, the roadmap urges the formulation of coherent export control policies for potent AI systems, with considerations for national security. It advocates for substantial annual investment in AI research and development, echoing the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence’s 2021 proposal.
The roadmap’s development involved extensive engagement with stakeholders, including tech giants, civil rights advocates, and industry representatives. It aims to revitalize legislative efforts initiated last year, led by Schumer and bipartisan colleagues.
Schumer has underscored the urgency of regulating AI, particularly in light of the forthcoming elections, expressing a commitment to expedited legislative timelines. However, skepticism remains among analysts and congressional aides regarding Congress’s ability to enact significant AI regulations during an election year.
Meanwhile, the EU has made significant strides in AI regulation, recently approving the landmark EU AI Act. In response to the Senate roadmap’s release, some tech industry figures have expressed optimism, while others have criticized its perceived vagueness in addressing critical AI policy issues.
Notably, some consumer advocates have raised concerns about the roadmap’s focus on certain sectors at the expense of others, advocating for more comprehensive consideration of AI’s societal impacts.
