The bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence wants Congress to take a more aggressive role in overseeing artificial intelligence applications for national security, including weapons systems.
The 273-page report published this week recommended “robust oversight” of the Pentagon’s policies on autonomous weapons as the nation’s military moves to exploit the new technology.
The task force specifically urged the House Armed Services Committee to take a lead role in conducting hearings with an understanding that not all lawmakers are AI experts just yet.
“Congress should exercise its oversight function through briefings, hearings, letters and other opportunities,” the report said. “Such oversight would ideally include hearing from those inside and outside the government. These interactions must recognize that Members of Congress and staff have varying levels of understanding of AI.”
The report also requests additional training of Department of Defense personnel to better use AI and the task force wants greater international cooperation to determine acceptable military uses of AI.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, said the potential for AI to overhaul America’s economy and national security prompted him and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to create the AI task force.
“Developing a bipartisan vision for AI adoption, innovation, and governance is no easy task, but a necessary one as we look to the future of AI and ensure Americans see real benefits from this technology,” Mr. Johnson said in a statement on Tuesday. “Thanks to the leadership of the Task Force Co-Chairs Jay Obernolte and Ted Lieu and the hard work of all the members involved, Congress has a better understanding of how to leverage the promises and navigate the complexities of this transformative technology.”
Mr. Obernolte, a Republican, and Mr. Lieu, a Democrat, are both representatives from California.
As the year ends and Republicans prepare to take control of the White House and Capitol Hill, questions abound about whether lawmakers will advance substantial AI legislation in a narrowly divided Congress.
Mr. Jeffries, New York Democrat, sounded an optimistic note about the future of AI legislation and praised Mr. Johnson and the bipartisan committee’s work.
“I’m encouraged by the completion of the report and hopeful it will be instructive for enlightened legislative action moving forward,” Mr. Jeffries said in a statement on Tuesday.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.