Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) formally introduced legislation on Wednesday to establish a Cabinet-level executive agency, called the Department of Artificial Intelligence.
The bill is Congress’s answer to regulating frontier AI development after concerns about the rapidly advancing technology have come to the forefront in recent weeks. Sanders and Casar first announced the proposal on Sept. 3.
The two lawmakers are seeking to establish a federal department solely dedicated to keeping frontier AI models in check. If the bill passes and becomes law, the body would be tasked with monitoring model capabilities, overseeing the removal of dangerous capabilities that allow models to go rogue, and enforcing a ban on artificial superintelligence.
Sanders and Casar are deeply alarmed by the implications of a superintelligence, namely its impact on the future of humanity.
The 19-page bill defines artificial superintelligence as an AI system that “exceeds human cognitive performance and capabilities across most domains or tasks” or “has sufficient capabilities to plan and execute the destruction or disempowerment of humanity, including by overthrowing or undermining the Federal Government.”
These existential concerns were underscored by AI industry leaders, prompting Congress to consider taking action. Sanders and Casar followed suit with their aggressive plan.
Their legislation says the Department of AI “shall monitor advanced artificial intelligence systems and systems distilled from advanced artificial intelligence systems, including by conducting evaluations during pre-training, mid-training, post-training, and post-deployment periods, for artificial superintelligence and superintelligence precursor characteristics.”
The department would be led by a secretary appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, according to the text. There would also be an AI advisory board to provide scientific and technical advice to the secretary on regulating AI development.
Until the Department of AI is formed, the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act would pause advanced AI development. The measure also outlines criminal penalties for policymakers or rogue actors who violate the bill’s regulations, including up to 20 years in prison. An exception is available for whistleblowers if the AI secretary wishes to grant them a waiver.
Under the bill, the secretary would be authorized to pursue international agreements and coordinate with allies to prevent the development of artificial superintelligence worldwide.
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Some employees at large AI companies, such as OpenAI and Google DeepMind, have already endorsed the bill, the Associated Press reported.
“In my view, we cannot simply sit by idly and wait for advanced AI to cause the next 9/11 or Chernobyl or a global pandemic or a financial crisis before we take action to protect the American people and, of course, the people of the world,” Sanders told reporters.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
