On May 15, a bipartisan coalition of four senators called upon Congress to take decisive action to maintain American leadership in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
Led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators proposed an ambitious AI investment plan that seeks $32 billion in funding over the next three years to bolster AI development within the country.
Outlined in a comprehensive 31-page document titled “Driving U.S. Innovation in Artificial Intelligence,” the senators’ proposal aims to position the United States at the forefront of AI advancement by proactively leveraging the opportunities and mitigating the risks associated with this rapidly evolving technology.
The proposed funding would primarily focus on non-defense applications of AI, although considerations are being made for significant allocations to defense-related AI projects as well. Additionally, the plan includes provisions for cross-governmental AI research and development, encompassing initiatives aimed at fostering AI-ready data infrastructure and establishing government protocols for AI testing and evaluation.
Senator Schumer emphasized the critical nature of these investments, citing China’s substantial financial commitment to AI development as a compelling reason for the United States to similarly prioritize this sector.
Many observers view the senators’ AI investment plan as a strategic response to growing apprehensions regarding China’s dominance in the AI realm. Concerns within Washington center around the potential for China to exploit AI for nefarious purposes, such as election interference and cyber warfare.
Furthermore, the senators proposed the enactment of a federal data privacy law and expressed support for legislation aimed at curbing the use of deepfake technology in electoral campaigns. Regulatory measures addressing issues like healthcare and financial discrimination, job displacement, and copyright infringements stemming from AI were also endorsed.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, hailing from Minnesota, voiced her endorsement of the proposed AI framework, particularly highlighting its relevance in combating copyright infringement, notably in the realm of journalism.
Meanwhile, other US senators are raising alarms about the threat posed by AI to electoral integrity, specifically its potential to deceive voters. In response, the Senate Rules Committee advanced three bills on May 15 to address this concern:
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The Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, spearheaded by Senator Amy Klobuchar and co-sponsored by Senator Josh Hawley, seeks to prohibit the use of AI-generated video or audio content related to federal candidates.
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The AI Transparency in Elections Act mandates disclosures regarding the use of AI in political advertisements.
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The Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act aims to develop guidelines to counter external AI threats, particularly those originating from foreign adversaries.
These legislative efforts come in the wake of recent incidents involving AI-generated political content, underscoring the imperative to safeguard democratic processes from AI-driven deception. The European Union has similarly taken steps to address AI risks to elections, notably through the passage of the AI Regulation Act and heightened scrutiny of Big Tech’s role in shaping AI-enabled content.