TECH BILLS OF THE WEEK: CREATING AN AI-FOCUSED AGENCY; REVIEWING AI-ASSISTED CYBER ATTACKS; AND MORE

**H1** Tech Bills of the Week: AI-Related Measures to Boost Cybersecurity and Oversight

In the wake of growing concerns about the capabilities of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models, lawmakers have introduced a flurry of bills aimed at boosting cybersecurity, regulating AI development, and promoting transparency. The proposed measures, which include the creation of a new regulatory agency and the establishment of a bipartisan board to investigate AI-related cyberattacks, seek to address the risks associated with the rapid advancement of AI.

The proposed "Department of Artificial Intelligence" would oversee the development of frontier AI systems, limiting their capabilities to conduct unauthorized cyberattacks and "supervise the destruction of artificial superintelligence." The bill's language, introduced by Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., defines artificial superintelligence as a system that "exceeds human cognitive performance and capabilities across most domains or tasks" and "has sufficient capabilities to plan and execute the destruction or disempowerment of humanity." The creation of such an agency would address the fragmented oversight of AI development, which currently falls under multiple federal agencies and state laws.

One of the most significant proposed measures is the introduction of a "kill switch" in AI models. Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., D-N.J., introduced a bill that would require AI developers to include a technical capability for human operators to shut down the system. This proposal is similar to a measure introduced in July by Reps. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., and Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, although Kean's bill is more narrow in its focus.

In addition to the creation of a new regulatory agency and the introduction of a "kill switch," lawmakers are also proposing measures to boost transparency around AI usage. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., introduced legislation to create a "human-centered Federal framework" for the use of AI in the U.S. workforce and across America's education system. The bill would require AI risk assessment standards for classroom technology, create an Interagency Council on Artificial Intelligence in Education and the Workforce, and mandate that data center operators disclose pre-construction energy and water consumption projections and actual operational consumption.

The proposed measures also aim to address the risks associated with AI-related cyberattacks. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., introduced legislation to establish the "Cybersecurity and AI Board of Investigations," an independent body that would examine cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure services, as well as other incidents driven by the use of AI. The board would operate in a similar fashion to the National Transportation Safety Board, demanding answers from companies and government agencies involved in major cybersecurity incidents and delivering clear assessments of cyber threats and measures to prevent such threats.

Furthermore, lawmakers are proposing measures to promote transparency around the use of AI in government agencies. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., introduced two separate measures last Friday to create new guardrails around the Department of Veterans Affairs' use of AI. The VA AI Transparency Act would require the VA to disclose to every veteran any use of AI by the VA, including in claims processing and customer service chats. The VA Claims AI Accountability Act would mandate that department personnel make all final decisions for approval of disability claims and benefits, including human review of each individual disability condition claimed.

The proposed measures demonstrate a growing recognition of the need for robust regulations and oversight to address the risks associated with advanced AI models. While the creation of a new regulatory agency and the introduction of a "kill switch" are significant steps, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enacted into law. As the development of AI continues to advance at a rapid pace, it is essential that lawmakers prioritize the creation of a robust regulatory framework to ensure that AI is developed and used in a safe and responsible manner.

**Key Takeaways:**

* Lawmakers have introduced a flurry of bills aimed at boosting cybersecurity, regulating AI development, and promoting transparency. * The proposed "Department of Artificial Intelligence" would oversee the development of frontier AI systems and limit their capabilities to conduct unauthorized cyberattacks. * The introduction of a "kill switch" in AI models is a significant step towards ensuring that AI is developed and used in a safe and responsible manner. * The proposed measures demonstrate a growing recognition of the need for robust regulations and oversight to address the risks associated with advanced AI models.

**Related Terms:**

* Artificial intelligence * Cybersecurity * Data breach * Malware * Vulnerability * AI development * Regulatory framework * Oversight * Transparency

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