The bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence was officially launched by the House of Representatives today to facilitate the progression of legislative proposals aimed at regulating the advancing technology.
Chaired by Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and co-chaired by Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., the task force comprises twelve members appointed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
The primary objective of the task force is to craft a comprehensive report on AI encompassing guiding principles, recommendations, and bipartisan policy suggestions to mitigate the risks associated with AI technology.
In a press release, Speaker Johnson emphasized the importance of fostering innovation, maintaining national competitiveness, safeguarding security, and implementing necessary guardrails to ensure the responsible development of technology.
Democratic Leader Jeffries echoed these sentiments, highlighting Congress’s duty to facilitate equitable access to the benefits of AI advancements for all Americans.
Reps. Obernolte and Lieu, both well-versed in AI, have introduced significant AI proposals such as the CREATE AI Act and the Federal AI Risk Management Act in the past year.
The task force is poised to review various AI bills, with Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., underscoring the goal of narrowing down the plethora of AI bills in Congress to a manageable number for passage.
Rep. Beyer, a task force member, has emphasized the imperative for bipartisan collaboration on AI to prevent lagging behind societal needs.
Meanwhile, the Senate’s AI working group, spearheaded by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has engaged in discussions with tech industry leaders and advocates to explore potential regulations for this rapidly evolving technology.
Co-Chair Rep. Lieu expressed eagerness to collaborate with the Senate and members of both parties to devise effective bipartisan solutions concerning AI’s societal impact.
The task force includes prominent Democrats such as Reps. Anna Eshoo, Yvette Clarke, Bill Foster, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and others, along with notable Republicans including Reps. Darrell Issa, French Hill, Michelle Steel, and more.
