Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need for swift government action to regulate companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools, describing it as a “moment of revolution.” The New York Democrat revealed plans to introduce bipartisan legislation aimed at maximizing AI’s benefits while addressing significant risks.
While specific details of the legislation were not provided, Schumer outlined key goals, including safeguarding U.S. elections from AI-generated misinformation and interference, protecting American workers and intellectual property, preventing exploitation by AI algorithms, and establishing new guardrails against malicious actors. He also stressed the importance of promoting American innovation in the field of AI.
Schumer’s call for urgency follows a warning issued by scientists and tech industry leaders, including executives from Microsoft and Google, about the potential perils of AI. Concerns have heightened in recent months with the emergence of highly capable AI chatbots like ChatGPT, prompting countries worldwide to develop regulations for this advancing technology. The European Union has been at the forefront of AI regulation, with its AI Act anticipated to be approved later this year.
President Joe Biden has also prioritized discussions on AI risks and promises, convening technology leaders in San Francisco and emphasizing the potential and dangers associated with AI. The White House, under the leadership of chief of staff Jeff Zients, is working on a set of actions the federal government can take concerning AI in the coming weeks.
Schumer’s personal involvement in crafting AI legislation is noteworthy, as Senate leaders typically delegate such tasks to individual senators or committees. He has teamed up with Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich and Republican Sens. Mike Rounds and Todd Young to consult experts, educate colleagues, and draft the legislation. The Senate’s engagement in regulating AI represents a shift from its traditional pace, signaling recognition of the urgency and transformative potential of the technology.
Schumer highlighted the need for government intervention, emphasizing that individuals and the private sector alone cannot protect the country from the risks posed by AI. He argued that regulatory measures are essential, as there will always be rogue actors, unscrupulous companies, and foreign adversaries seeking to exploit the technology. Schumer acknowledged that regulating AI poses unique challenges, as it differs from other areas Congress has dealt with in the past.
While it remains uncertain if Schumer’s goals will be achieved, the bipartisan working group has begun briefing all 100 senators to familiarize them with AI, signaling the early stages of the legislative process. In the House of Representatives, efforts to regulate or oversee AI have been more fragmented, with no ambitious objectives laid out by Republican leaders.
Schumer acknowledged the multitude of questions surrounding AI, emphasizing that policymakers are starting from scratch due to the technology’s unprecedented nature. He highlighted the importance of collective efforts to shape AI regulations that balance innovation with safeguards for society.
