Congressional leaders negotiating potential lame-duck deal to address AI concerns
Congressional leaders in the House and Senate are privately negotiating a deal to address increasing concerns about artificial intelligence, and they’re hoping to move a bill in the lame-duck period, two people close to the negotiations tell POLITICO.
The specifics of the package are in flux as Democratic and Republican leadership haggle over common ground. Several bills have passed through committees on a bipartisan basis related to AI research and regulating its role in the workplace, which could be prime areas for agreement. But other subjects like AI’s role in misinformation, elections and national security are areas rife with potential partisan roadblocks and would likely be more difficult to include in a deal.
Lawmakers this term have been eyeing ways to address AI as the technology increasingly creeps into everyday life, including in politics and elections. Artificial intelligence has specifically been a priority for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who initiated the negotiations, according to one of the people familiar. The New York Democrat helmed an “AI policy roadmap” of suggestions that was released earlier this year.
Congress returns the week after the November election and will have less than two months to move legislation before the start of a new term. During that time, lawmakers must also clear government funding legislation in order to avoid a shutdown in mid-December. It’s likely the potential AI package would be tacked onto other must-pass legislation, like government funding, or the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act.
Many lawmakers have expressed concerns over misinformation generated by artificial intelligence, including involving elections and national security. As AI technology grows more sophisticated, so has its ability to produce deep-fake images, videos and audio that can mimic political officials and candidates, resulting in reported attempts to target lawmakers as well as aiding in everyday crimes like identity theft.
But lame-duck periods — the weeks after a November election but before new members are sworn-in — are tricky. The outcomes of the presidential and congressional elections could have a significant impact on what policy gets through. Some members could be inclined to hold off on passage if they believe any upcoming switches in party control would heighten their leverage over a deal.
Then there’s the presidential candidates themselves. Former President Donald Trump has expressed reservations about regulations, saying he wants AI development to be rooted in “free speech and human flourishing.” Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as attorney general in the tech-heavy state of California, has been more vocal about addressing AI’s potential risks while balancing opportunities for innovation.
The Biden administration has repeatedly said it is open to additional regulation on AI. The president signed a broad executive order heightening AI safety standards last year that Trump has since vowed to repeal.
The House GOP could also face an intra-party battle over its leadership shortly after Congress returns, depending on the results in November. That could impact existing House Republican leaders’ willingness to move on major legislation, particularly given Trump’s position on AI regulation.
Implementing comprehensive AI reforms would likely come with a price tag. And additional government funding — particularly as Congress continues to haggle over basic spending levels, and conservatives push for more cuts — could come as a difficult sell over the next few months.
Congress, and particularly Schumer, has been working on solutions as AI has rapidly developed. Schumer’s AI roadmap was developed with Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and GOP Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). The group also hosted a series of “AI Insight Forums” for the chamber to educate members on the emerging technology and its potential threats. And Schumer has publicly urged his committee chairs to advance legislation that addresses AI.
It’s not the Senate’s first swing at regulating tech in this Congress. The chamber passed a sweeping package aimed at protecting children online earlier this year by a 91-3 vote. That deal has since stalled in the House.
Date: |
-
Business - The Wall Street Journal
Sanofi in Talks With French Government to Address Concerns on Opella Deal
Sanofi is in discussions with the French government to address concerns officials raised about a potential sale of a controlling stake in the company’s consumer health business, Opella, to ...2 days ago -
Business - Inc.
Virginia Congressional Race Features Debate With Incumbent’s AI
Two independent challengers to Democratic Representative Don Beyer streamed themselves taking on an AI avatar trained on his previous responses. There were some glitches.4 hours ago -
Business - Inc.
Anguilla’s .ai Web Address Makes the Tiny Island Money in the AI Boom
Registrations from artificial intelligence company websites let the Caribbean territory tap a rich vein of revenue from a digital gold mine.2 days ago -
Business - Inc.
How to Deal With AI Job Applications
The use of AI by job seekers has increased recently–a symptom of a broken recruiting system. Is there hope that the job search and hiring process will get any better?4 days ago -
Top stories - ABC News
AI deepfakes a top concern for election officials with voting underway
State election officials in political battleground states say they are bracing for the unpredictable and emergent threat posed by artificial intelligence, or AI.8 hours ago - Artificial Intelligence -
Sports - CBS Sports
2024 NFL trade deadline: Why Saints should deal Alvin Kamara, plus potential landing spots for veteran RB
New Orleans fell to 2-5 as it opened Week 7 action against Denver on 'TNF'18 hours ago - NFL -
Business - MarketWatch
Google becomes the latest tech giant to strike a nuclear-power deal for AI
Amazon, Microsoft and Oracle all have nuclear arrangements of their own as tech companies seek clean-energy solutions for AI’s massive power needs.4 days ago - Google -
World - The Guardian
Google to buy nuclear power for AI datacentres in ‘world first’ deal
Tech company orders six or seven small nuclear reactors from California’s Kairos Power. Business live – latest updates Google has signed a “world first” deal to buy energy from a fleet of ...3 days ago - Google -
Politics - The Hill
Google signs deal to use small modular nuclear reactors to power AI data centers
Google has signed a deal with Kairos Power to build a fleet of small modular nuclear reactors to power its data centers, the tech giant announced Monday. The small modular reactors, a type of ...3 days ago - Google
More from Politico
-
Politics - Politico
McConnell defends past Trump comments: ‘We are all on the same team now’
The Senate GOP leader called the former president “stupid” and a “despicable human being” following the 2020 election, according to The Associated Press.Yesterday - Donald Trump -
Politics - Politico
Anti-Trump Republicans wade into key down-ballot races with Democratic endorsements
2 days ago - Republican Party -
Politics - Politico
Capitol police chief: New intel bureau is key as Congress threats rise
October 3 -
Politics - Politico
Biden: Congress 'may have to' come back to approve Helene relief
September 30 - Joe Biden -
Politics - Politico
Senior House Dem joins calls for Eric Adams to resign
September 27