Tech leaders are urging Congress to establish regulations for AI development following warnings about the rapid advancements in the technology and its potential risks. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that legislative bodies should avoid excessive regulation, arguing that it could hinder the U.S.'s competitive edge against China in AI. President Donald Trump has expressed opposition to new laws regulating AI, stating on his social media platform that the only necessary control is strong leadership.
Warnings from researchers at Anthropic suggest that AI poses an existential threat, with one researcher estimating the risk of human extinction at over 10%. Prominent figures in the tech industry, including Sam Altman and Elon Musk, have called for a slowdown in AI development. Democrats advocate for legislation to impose oversight measures on AI, citing concerns about potential cyberattacks and the misuse of AI in developing weapons.
The Republican-controlled Congress has not indicated plans for immediate action on AI regulation. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is organizing a caucus meeting on AI, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is urging the Trump administration to brief Senate members on AI risks. Schumer criticized the administration for not addressing the warnings about AI.
Past efforts to regulate AI have seen little progress, even during Democratic leadership. In September 2023, Schumer convened a bipartisan meeting with tech leaders, where Musk warned about the risks of AI and supported the creation of a federal agency for regulation. Although a roadmap for AI regulation was proposed, it did not advance.
Following recent warnings, some Democrats are calling for urgent action on AI, but time is limited as the Senate prepares to recess for the midterm elections. Senator Brian Schatz emphasized the need for Congress to act swiftly in response to the threats posed by AI.
Senators are also set to consider legislation on crypto and college sports, while the House plans to vote on sanctions against Russia. Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a moratorium on data center construction and advanced AI development, but no other Senate Democrats have supported his legislation.
Other Democrats are advocating for safety measures that allow for continued AI development. Senator Richard Blumenthal has called for a statutory system of independent auditors for AI safety. A potential bill being developed by Senator Ted Cruz aims to address catastrophic risks associated with AI, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to lead in AI development. Senator Maria Cantwell expressed concerns about the proposed bill, referencing previous Republican attempts to limit state regulation of AI.