The House launched a bipartisan AI task force Tuesday to develop legislation to get ahead of the emerging technology.
The 24-member panel is charged with drafting a report to include principles and policy proposals to protect the country “against current and emerging threats.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, each selected a dozen lawmakers for the panel.
“As we look to the future, Congress must continue to encourage innovation and maintain our country’s competitive edge, protect our national security and carefully consider what guardrails may be needed to ensure the development of safe and trustworthy technology,” Mr. Johnson said.
“The rise of artificial intelligence also presents a unique set of challenges, and certain guardrails must be put in place to protect the American people,” Mr. Jeffries said. “Congress needs to work in a bipartisan way to ensure that America continues to lead in this emerging space, while also preventing bad actors from exploiting this evolving technology.”
The panel will be chaired by Rep. Jay Obernolte, California Republican, and Rep. Ted Lieu, California Democrat, and will include members from the House Judiciary, Intelligence, Oversight and Accountability, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space and Technology committees.
Both Mr. Obernolte and Mr. Lieu have been some of the most vocal members of the House when it comes to AI. Mr. Obernolte is vice chairman of the House Artificial Intelligence Caucus and has a graduate degree in AI. Mr. Lieu previously introduced a bill to regulate AI in the chatbot tool ChatGPT.
Mr. Obernolte noted that the panel’s report will detail regulatory standards and congressional actions to protect consumers and continue American investment in the technology.
Mr. Lieu said the question is how to ensure AI “benefits society instead of harming us.”
“As a recovering computer science major, I know this will not be an easy or quick or one-time task, but I believe Congress has an essential role to play in the future of AI,” he said.
The panel’s launch comes as Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, has spent months gathering forums geared toward tackling the AI conundrum.
The Senate shifted its strategy on AI legislation this year, scaling back its plans for one catch-all bill and opting instead for smaller bills tackling different aspects of AI.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.