Sen. Todd Young told the media that the AI meetings will put politicians ‘in the driver’s seat.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he is serious about passing some legal framework for artificial intelligence when Congress returns from its August break.
Schumer told Senate Democrats in a letter on Friday morning that he plans to start a series of joint “AI Insight Forums” to help politicians keep up with the rapidly changing technology. On September 13, his first one, tech stars like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman, among others, will likely be there.
Schumer said, “These forums will build on the long-term work of our committees by speeding up the normal Senate process. This will help us stay ahead of AI’s rapid development.” “This is not going to be easy. It will be one of the hardest things we do, but we can’t stick our heads in the sand regarding AI in the twenty-first century. We must take AI as seriously as we do national defense, creating jobs and protecting our rights.
With his razor-thin majority in Congress, the Democrat from New York has made AI regulation a top priority. He has put together a joint AI working group to catch up with their peers so they can talk about regulatory efforts.
Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, part of this working group, praised the forum series to media and said it would help politicians be “in the driver’s seat” regarding AI.
“The AI Insight Forums will be a comprehensive way for Congress to talk about key policy issues, opportunities, and threats related to artificial intelligence as we think about possible legislative solutions,” Young said.
“The style of the Forums will let us explore a wide range of topics in depth with the help of experts and other interested parties, while keeping committees of jurisdiction and their members in charge of the legislative results.”
“Given how quickly AI has changed in recent years, this process couldn’t come at a better time or be more important,” said Young.
Schumer is putting on the second set of study classes for senators. Before the August break, his nonpartisan working group gave several educational meetings on artificial intelligence. The last one, in July, was the first-ever secret session for the whole Senate on AI and national security.
But not everyone in the Senate agrees with having limits on AI, even though this is something that most people on both sides of the aisle want.
“I’m worried that China is investing much money into AI. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital after the July secret meeting, “I’m also worried that Democrats want to put so many rules on the development of AI that it stifles innovation in the U.S. and lets China take the lead.” “That would be a mistake that would last for years.”
The Senate is tough, so the bold push for new rules comes at the wrong time. To keep the government from shutting down on September 30, the Senate must reach a spending deal with the GOP-led House. They also need to reauthorize the FAA, FISA, and other essential programs before the end of the year.