Setting the Scene
The Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group led by Senate Majority Lead Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) announced a roadmap for how the US should tackle AI policy. This roadmap comes after the working group held nine forums and engaged over 150 AI experts ranging from tech CEOs, scholars, advocates, and labor representatives.
The top priorities of the AI roadmap are:
- Boosting funding for AI innovation
- Setting nationwide standards for AI safety and fairness
- Using AI to strengthen US national security
- Addressing possible job displacement for US workers caused by AI
- Tackling “deepfakes” being used in elections
- Ensuring AI innovation reaches schools and companies
Dig Deeper
This announcement by Senate Majority Leader Schumer and his colleagues singles a continued push by the US government to be a global leader in AI regulation. While AI has been discussed extensively at the highest level of government (and in the private sector), this is a notable roadmap that gives us a preview into where Congress’s priorities lie.
National security is top of mind for policymakers, especially as relations with China become more tense. Policymakers want to find ways to leverage the power and innovation of AI to protect the US from its adversaries and geopolitical threats. This lends well to policymakers’ other priority of boosting and fostering AI innovation at home. The roadmap supports the funding level initially proposed by the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence: "at least $32 billion per year for (non-defense) AI innovation."
What Does this Mean for Business?
- AI legislation is on the roadmap this year. Senate Majority Leader Schumer has stated he wants to pass AI legislation this year, which might prove to be too difficult due to the election season and heightened global conflict. However, this does mean policymakers on Capitol Hill may be willing to have conversations with businesses on the issue.
- Businesses are key players in the upcoming legislative agenda. Businesses have an opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in both the private and public sectors to speak to what they want to see in AI legislation. Before businesses can effectively engage with key stakeholders, business must think through messaging and develop a clear POV on AI and how their business plans to navigate this new generation of technology.
Questions? Reach out to EGA Tech (egatech@edelmanega.com).
