As AI rhetoric heats up, Congress stalls on action
Some House Democrats are calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to delay the congressional recess expected at the end of the week until lawmakers pass AI safeguards.
Congress is set to take a week-long recess at the end of this month, but a coalition of House Democrats is urging Speaker Mike Johnson to postpone the break until AI regulations are enacted. While lawmakers may disagree on the exact nature of these safeguards, they are united in the belief that action is necessary, according to a joint statement.
Speaker Johnson contends that Congress requires additional time to develop sound policy, emphasizing that entrusting AI companies with responsibility is also crucial. He warned that rushing into a hastily-passed emergency session could result in China outpacing the United States in AI development, posing a threat to every American. Johnson's comments were echoed by former President Donald Trump, who insisted that the U.S. remains ahead in AI capabilities and has no intention of relinquishing this lead.
Despite these assertions, Trump dismissed concerns raised by AI executives, asserting that the U.S. is the world's most sophisticated country in this domain. Acknowledging the potential risks of AI, Trump expressed optimism that the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks. The White House stated that it is currently developing an AI framework, though the specifics remain unclear.
Former AI advisor to the Trump administration, David Sacks, advocated for self-regulation by AI companies, stating that they should "go ahead and regulate themselves" and should not require external permission. However, calls for federal regulation are mounting as the AI arms race intensifies. Several legislative proposals have been introduced on Capitol Hill, ranging from transparency requirements and audits to a federal "kill switch" and even waiving antitrust laws to enable industry collaboration on safety standards.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has proposed an outright ban on superintelligent AI, coupled with a temporary halt to AI development until federal safety measures are in place. Meanwhile, the issue of AI regulation has spilled over into the political arena. Former President Barack Obama called on Democrats to formulate a clear message on the matter ahead of the midterm elections, while Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed endorsed Sen. Sanders' proposal for a research pause until safety assurances are obtained.
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