US Senators have put forward a bold proposal for a $32 billion investment plan to drive growth in the artificial intelligence (AI) and technology sectors. Led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a bipartisan group of four senators is urging Congress to take decisive action to ensure American leadership in AI innovation.
The proposed AI investment plan, detailed in a 31-page document titled “Driving U.S. Innovation in Artificial Intelligence,” outlines a strategic roadmap for the development of AI in the country. The plan focuses on harnessing the opportunities and addressing the risks associated with AI technology.
The senators are seeking funding primarily for non-defense applications of AI, but are also considering significant investment in defense-related AI projects. In addition, they are proposing funding for cross-government AI research and development, including initiatives for AI-ready data and government AI testing and evaluation infrastructure.
Senator Schumer emphasized the importance of these investments to prevent China from surpassing the US in AI development. Concerns have been raised about China’s advancements in the sector and the potential misuse of AI technology for malicious purposes.
Recommendations in the senator’s proposal include the creation of a federal data privacy law, legislation to prevent the use of deepfake technology in election campaigns, and regulatory measures to address issues such as health and financial discrimination, job displacement, and copyright violations caused by AI.
Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed support for the proposed framework, especially in journalism where copyright infringement has been a significant concern. Lawmakers are also expressing concerns about AI’s threat to elections, particularly its potential to deceive voters.
To combat this issue, the Senate Rules Committee advanced three bills aimed at protecting elections from deceptive AI. These bills include the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, the AI Transparency in Elections Act, and the Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act. These bills seek to prevent the use of AI-generated content in political campaigns and establish guidelines to counter external AI threats.
Recent incidents, such as the use of AI-generated images in political campaigns, highlight the urgent need for measures to safeguard the integrity of democratic processes from AI-based deception. The EU has also been taking steps to address these concerns, passing the AI Regulation Act and scrutinizing Big Tech companies on AI risks to elections.
The proposed AI investment plan and legislative measures aim to ensure that the US remains at the forefront of AI innovation while safeguarding democratic processes from AI-related threats.
