• by Wendy Davis , June 20, 2023

A new bipartisan bill would establish a commission to explore potential regulations for artificial intelligence.

The  National AI Commission Act -- introduced by Representatives Ted Lieu (D-California), Ken Buck (R-Colorado) and Anna Eshoo (D-California) -- calls for establishing a 20-member panel that would be tasked with reviewing the current approach to regulation, and developing a “risk-based framework” for the technology.

Panel members would be required to have a background in either technology, government, industry and labor, or “civil society” (including civil liberties, ethics and constitutional issues).

The bill calls for the group to issue an interim report after six months, which would propose “urgent” regulations or enforcement actions, and a final report after one year. That final report would include recommendations for a regulatory framework.

“Artificial Intelligence is doing amazing things for our society. It can also cause significant harm if left unchecked and unregulated,” Lieu stated Tuesday. “Congress must not stay on the sidelines.”

Backers of the bill include the advocacy groups Public Citizen and Center for AI and Digital Policy.

Earlier this year, Lieu called for a new agency to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.

“An agency is nimbler than the legislative process, is staffed with experts and can reverse its decisions if it makes an error,” the lawmaker wrote in an op-ed in The New York Times.

The bill's introduction comes as regulators and policymakers increasingly turn their attention to artificial intelligence. Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan recently called for regulation, as have consumer advocates.

Sam Altman, head of artificial intelligence company OpenAI, recently recommended to lawmakers that Congress create a new agency to oversee and license the most advanced types of artificial intelligence.

Separately, the Federal Communications Commission and National Science Foundation said Tuesday they will hold a workshop to address issues such as how artificial intelligence can play a role in spectrum management, as well as challenges the technology presents regarding problematic issues like robocalls.

 “AI is a real opportunity for communications to become more efficient, more impactful, and more resilient,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated Tuesday. “While we are aware of the challenges AI can present, there is also significant potential to use this technology to benefit communications networks and their customers.”

The workshop will take place on July 13.