The House of Representatives officially launched its bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) today to help move along legislative proposals to regulate the evolving technology.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., each appointed twelve members to the Task Force on AI, which will be chaired by Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and co-chaired by Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif.
The task force will work to develop a comprehensive report on AI to include guiding principles, recommendations, and bipartisan policy proposals to help safeguard the nation against the risks of AI.
“The task force will bring together a bipartisan group of members who have AI expertise and represent the relevant committees of jurisdiction,” Speaker Johnson said in a press release. “As we look to the future, Congress must continue to encourage innovation and maintain our country’s competitive edge, protect our national security, and carefully consider what guardrails may be needed to ensure the development of safe and trustworthy technology.”
“Congress has a responsibility to facilitate the promising breakthroughs that artificial intelligence can bring to fruition and ensure that everyday Americans benefit from these advancements in an equitable manner,” added Democratic Leader Jeffries. “That is why I am pleased to join Speaker Johnson in announcing the new Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, led by Rep. Ted Lieu and Rep. Jay Obernolte.”
Reps. Obernolte and Lieu are both well-versed in AI: Rep. Obernolte holds a graduate-level degree in AI, and Rep. Lieu is one of four members of Congress with a computer science degree.
Both congressmen have introduced AI proposals in the past year, including the Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with AI Act of 2023 (CREATE AI Act) and the Federal AI Risk Management Act.
The task force will likely consider these bills, as Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., said last week that one of the main goals of the task force will be to consider the “191 different AI bills pending in Congress right now” and narrow it down to five to 10 bills Congress can pass this year.
Rep. Beyer, a member of the task force, has been teasing its launch over the past month, stressing that Congress needs to work together on AI or “risk falling way behind the American people.”
Similarly, the Senate has its own AI working group – led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. – which has hosted insight forums with top tech CEOs and labor and civil rights leaders to discuss possible regulations for the rapidly evolving technology.
Co-Chair Rep. Lieu said he is looking forward to working with the Senate, as well as the Democratic and Republican members of the task force “to find meaningful, bipartisan solutions with regards to AI.”
“AI has the capability of changing our lives as we know it,” he said, adding, “The question is how to ensure AI benefits society instead of harming us. As a recovering computer science major, I know this will not be an easy or quick one-time task, but I believe Congress has an essential role to play in the future of AI. I have been heartened to see so many members of Congress of all political persuasions agree.”
In addition to Rep. Lieu and Beyer, the other Democrats on the House task force include: Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Bill Foster, D-Ill., Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., Ami Bera, D-Calif., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Haley Stevens, D-Mich., Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., Valerie Foushee, D-N.C., and Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo.
In addition to Rep. Obernolte, the other Republicans include: Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., French Hill, R-Ark., Michael Cloud, R-Texas, Neal Dunn, R-Fla., Ben Cline, R-Va., Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Scott Franklin, R-Fla., Michelle Steel, R-Calif., Eric Burlison, R-Mo., Laurel Lee, R-Fla., and Rich McCormick, R-Ga.
