Fischer: ‘U.S. must remain leader in deploying emergent technologies’

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Dec. 17 unveiled bipartisan legislation to help advance America’s use of and global competitiveness in emergent technologies.

“In order to strengthen our national security and grow our economy, the U.S. must remain a leader in deploying emergent technologies,” Sen. Fischer said. “That means generating research and innovation in areas like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.”

Sen. Fischer sponsored the American Competitiveness Of a More Productive Emerging Tech Economy Act of 2020, or the American COMPETE Act, S. 5043, with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).

If enacted, the bill would require the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Commerce Secretary to conduct studies and submit reports on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies on American businesses conducting interstate commerce, according to the text of the bill.

“The American COMPETE Act would help maintain America’s competitive edge and ensure we continue to lead in these key technology sectors,” said Sen. Fischer.

S. 5043 is a companion to the same-named H.R. 8132, sponsored in August by U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and original cosponsors U.S. Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR) and Bobby Rush (D-IL). The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 29 approved H.R. 8132 and the U.S. Senate on Sept. 30 received the bill and referred it for consideration to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which will reconcile the bill with S. 5043.