US lawmakers introduce National AI Commission Act

On Tuesday, June 20, a bipartisan group of United States lawmakers introduced a bill to establish a commission to study the country’s approach toward artificial intelligence (AI). 

The bill’s primary objective revolves around establishing regulations in the AI industry. The act comes hot on the heels of consumer protection groups in the European Union (EU) urging regulators to conduct investigations on AI models behind popular chatbots.

The bipartisan National AI Commission Act was introduced by Representatives Ted Lieu, Ken Buck and Anna Eshoo. The bill proposes the creation of a “National AI Commission” to formulate a comprehensive framework for regulating AI.

The act aims to address the potential risks associated with AI technology, with Lieu emphasizing the importance of preventing harm that can arise from unregulated AI. The commission will bring together experts, government officials, industry representatives and labor stakeholders to achieve this. Their collective efforts will focus on providing recommendations for effective AI regulation, according to the lawmakers.

The Center for AI and Digital Policy has shown support for the National AI Commission Act. Merve Hickok, the President of the Center, asserts that the proposal is timely and crucial, as it would establish essential regulations for AI and facilitate public involvement in shaping the nation's AI strategy. The Center has previously cautioned about the United States' unpreparedness to address forthcoming AI challenges.

Hickok considers the creation of a National AI Commission as a positive move forward and commends Rep. Lieu and Rep. Buck for their initiative. Urging Congress to take prompt action on the National AI Commission Act, Hickok emphasizes its importance.

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This development arises in response to the persistent calls made by numerous influential figures in the tech industry, such as billionaire Elon Musk, who have emphasized the necessity of implementing measures to moderate the pace of AI advancement. Notably, Sam Altman, a prominent figure associated with OpenAI, has also recently expressed his concerns regarding the imperative need to regulate the AI industry effectively.

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