<p>Concerns are rising regarding the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) as Congress evaluates the technology's national security implications against the risks of unregulated growth.</p>
<p>House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) indicated that a meeting with leading AI executives and the White House is planned soon. Congress faces pressure to make progress on AI regulation before the upcoming November elections.</p>
<p>Both the House and Senate returned from their Labor Day recess on Monday, with the Senate scheduled to be in session for three weeks. The House, however, has only four legislative days before it recesses until after November 9. There is increasing pressure for Johnson to keep the House in session until an agreement on AI regulation can be reached.</p>
<p>Currently, neither chamber has reached a consensus on AI regulation, with numerous bills introduced in the past two years aimed at either regulating or promoting the industry.</p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) are working on an AI safety bill that has not yet been released. Additionally, Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are expected to introduce legislation regulating AI this week, according to a source familiar with the matter.</p>
<p>Supporters of AI development argue that it is essential for maintaining a competitive edge over U.S. adversaries, while critics caution that the industry may struggle to keep pace with the technology it is creating.</p>
<p>Here are five pieces of legislation to monitor as AI discussions unfold in Congress:</p>
<h2>CLARITY Act</h2>
<p>The CLARITY Act, primarily a crypto regulation bill, includes a provision allowing companies to test AI products under reduced regulatory requirements. It mandates that any entity regulated by a financial agency must demonstrate that their projects serve the public interest, enhance efficiency, or increase competitiveness without posing risks to the financial system.</p>
<p>Critics, including labor unions and consumer protection groups, oppose this provision, arguing that AI's role in financial decision-making could lead to market manipulation, abusive debt collection practices, and discrimination.</p>
<h2>Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act</h2>
<p>Introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) on September 3, the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act aims to permanently ban the development and deployment of superintelligent AI. It also seeks to temporarily pause advanced AI development until appropriate regulations are established by a federal authority.</p>
<p>The proposed bill encourages the U.S. to pursue international agreements to prevent the global development of superintelligence.</p>
<p>Critics of delays in AI development, including former President Donald Trump, argue that existing regulations are sufficient to prevent potential risks associated with the technology.</p>
<p>“AI taking over the World, destroying Humanity, and all other things bad, is a HOAX, no different from RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA,” Trump stated on Truth Social.</p>
<h2>AI Kill Switch Act</h2>
<p>Introduced by Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Nate Moran (R-TX), the AI Kill Switch Act would empower the Department of Homeland Security to order the shutdown of AI models deemed to pose excessive risks. The bill, introduced in July, would require AI companies generating at least $500 million from AI to self-report incidents and develop infrastructure for shutting down their models.</p>
<h2>FRONTIER Act</h2>
<p>Led by Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), the FRONTIER Act aims to establish a national, risk-based framework for governing the development and use of advanced AI models. This framework would impose tiered requirements based on the size of AI developers and create national standards for transparency, requiring companies to report catastrophic risks associated with their AI models.</p>
<p>The FRONTIER Act would also preempt state laws regarding its provisions, a measure favored by many in the industry to avoid a complex regulatory landscape.</p>
<h2>AI Incident Reporting Act</h2>
<p>Introduced by Moran in June, the AI Incident Reporting Act seeks to establish a federal framework requiring AI developers to report dangerous capabilities, safety incidents, and security breaches to the Secretary of Commerce. The bill aims to bridge the gap in transparency between AI developers and the U.S. government as AI systems become more autonomous.</p>
<p>The legislation would empower the Commerce Department to designate when AI models pose significant risks to national security or public safety, requiring developers to report dangerous activity within seven days. For serious incidents, the Commerce Secretary would need to notify Congress within 48 hours.</p>