Barrett Introduces Legislation to Address Growing Threats from Artificial Intelligence, Other Emerging Technology

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) formally introduced the Artificial Intelligence Governance and Emerging Threats Act to address AI threats and increase accountability in light of warnings from AI researchers about the risks associated with this rapidly developing technology that companies are further advancing by the day.

Specifically, the legislation would create the U.S. Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats, which would be led by a representative presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed to serve in the president’s Cabinet. The mission of the office would be to spearhead development and implementation of federal policy on AI and other technological risks.

“The United States government has a fundamental responsibility to protect its citizens from all threats, including those we might not see coming. The rapid development of AI technology, which has potential to improve our society, has exposed the serious dangers that can come with it,” said Barrett. “We are already seeing it replace American jobs, threaten our national security, and degrade human dignity. These risks cannot be ignored, so it’s time to create a seat at the table for someone to monitor AI technology, ensure strong guardrails are in place, and prepare us for this new era of technological innovation and beyond.”

The representative in charge of the Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats would serve as the principal adviser to the president on AI and emerging technological threats; coordinate among federal departments to ensure a cohesive federal approach to AI; and monitor risks and opportunities related to AI and other technologies. The representative would also be required to testify regularly before Congress on AI developments and threats.

The Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats would be housed within the Executive Office of the President. In addition to the representative, the office would have five Senate-confirmed deputy representatives to spearhead specific responsibilities:

• Deputy representative for intergovernmental     coordination;
• Deputy representative for international     engagement; 
• Deputy representative for private sector     engagement;
• Deputy representative for national security     and emerging technology threats;  and
• Deputy representative for economic and     workforce impacts.

The Office of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Threats is patterned after the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which coordinates among federal intelligence agencies and also traditionally has a seat in the president’s Cabinet.

Background

Barrett has been a leader on increasing accountability and transparency for artificial intelligence and data centers. Last week, he wrote a letter calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz to work with other nations to negotiate a treaty setting international guardrails on AI. In addition to his call for international collaboration, Barrett has introduced or co-sponsored the following bills in Congress:

• The Human Authority over     Autonomous Weapons Act (H.R. 9729)     to ensure that no autonomous or artificial intelligence-enabled weapon     system used by the United States military can carry out an intentionally     lethal strike without meaningful human oversight or a human decision-maker     in the loop.
• The Children     Harmed by AI Technology (CHAT) Act (H.R. 7218)     to require AI chatbots to implement age verification measures to protect     minors. The bill requires parental consent for minors using chatbots, bans     chatbots from engaging in sexually explicit communications with minors,     and requires chatbots to notify a minor’s parent if the minor’s chat shows     signs of suicidal ideation.
• The AI     Threat Output and Monitoring Incident Containment Act (H.R. 9965)     to test advanced AI systems to prevent risks to nuclear safety.
• The Doctors Not AI Act (H.R. 10210),     introduced by Barrett and Landsman, to ensure that artificial intelligence     cannot make or dictate health insurance coverage decisions involving     medical judgment.
• The VA Claims AI     Accountability Act     (H.R. 10418)     to require VA employees — not AI — to make the final decisions for     approval of disability claims or benefits. The bill also strengthens     oversight and accountability for the VA’s digital benefits system.
• The VA AI Transparency Act (H.R. 10417)     to require the VA to disclose to every veteran any use of AI by the VA,     including in claims processing and customer service chats.
• The Protecting Local     Control of Data Centers Act (H.R. 10119)     to prohibit federal agencies from overriding local land-use, zoning,     siting, or permitting authority related to data centers.
• The No Data Center NDAs Act (H.R. 10118)     to prohibit members of Congress from signing non-disclosure agreements     (NDAs) about data centers, including any information about possible     locations or how much water or energy a facility is expected to consume.
• The No Secrets for Data     Centers Act (H.R. 10570)     to prohibit and invalidate NDAs signed by federal, state, and local     government officials to conceal details of data center projects. The bill     would also prohibit data center operators from receiving government     incentives if the conditions include entering an agreement to keep     information about the project confidential.

CLICK HERE to read the bill.