The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee recently approved a bipartisan bill proposed by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Todd Young (R-IN) that promotes partnerships between government, business, civil society, and academia to advance research in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.
The Future of AI Innovation Act of 2024, S. 4178, which Sens. Blackburn and Young cosponsored on April 18 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), received committee approval on July 31 and now heads to the full chamber for consideration.
“The Future of AI Innovation Act encourages coordination between the U.S. government and industry to capitalize on the promise of AI to revolutionize our lives,” Sen. Blackburn said, noting that S. 4178 “mobilizes the expertise of our National Laboratories, like Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to create testbeds for synthesizing new materials for AI systems.”
If enacted, S. 4178 also would require the identification of regulatory barriers to AI innovation and strengthen the nation’s posture in standard setting bodies, “making sure the government helps, rather than hinders, technological advancement,” the senator said.
“These policies will help us use AI to find solutions for important issues facing Americans today, including detecting fentanyl and illicit contraband and improving border security,” said Sen. Blackburn.
Sen. Young said the bill is critical to maintaining American leadership in the global race to advance AI.
“This bipartisan bill will create important partnerships between government, the private sector, and academia to establish voluntary standards and best practices that will ensure a fertile environment for AI innovation while accounting for potential risks,” said Sen. Young.
“One of my top priorities for federal AI policy is to ensure these technologies are developed in a manner that reflects our democratic values and supports innovation continuing to flourish in the United States,” he said, “and today’s vote represents an important step forward in that effort.”
Sen. Cantwell added that the proposed bill builds on recommendations from the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee to encourage strong public-private collaboration, drive innovation, and support U.S. competitiveness.
“It codifies the AI Safety Institute at NIST that is already developing voluntary guidelines and tests for advanced AI models and systems, and will gather leading private sector and government experts to promote voluntary standards,” she said.
More than 45 tech organizations, companies, and AI safety policy advocates endorsed the bill, among many others.