Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, emphasized the need for legislation on artificial intelligence (AI) as Congress has returned to work. This comes as many representatives are concerned about the potential consequences of AI technology.
Pressure for Swift Action
The House of Representatives and the Senate returned to work on Monday after the Labor Day holiday and other events. However, the House will only be in session for one week, as Mike Johnson has canceled the last two weeks of the session. This leaves little time for passing legislation.
Meanwhile, some experts are warning about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. Jacob Coxon, a researcher at Anthropic, resigned last week and stated that AI creators seriously believe this technology could pose a threat to humanity.
Trump's Position and Its Impact on Congress
Congress, controlled by Republicans, is unlikely to take action in this area, as former President Donald Trump is reluctant to act. Trump recently stated that the only controls AI needs are a strong and smart president. He has also supported AI data centers and responded to criticisms on this matter.
In the meantime, Mike Johnson stated on a television program that there may be a need for "some controls and safety measures" to ensure the United States does not fall behind in the global competition with China. He emphasized that inaction could pose a threat to national security.
Conversely, some Democrats are calling for protective laws for AI. Democratic Representative Lori Trahan expressed concern that AI models are gradually becoming more powerful and that there is no accountability mechanism for companies operating in this field.
Trahan also announced the drafting of a law called the FRONTIER Act, which aims to create a tiered regulatory system and independent assessments for AI developers. Additionally, Representative Ted Lieu has introduced a law called the AI Kill Switch Act, which would require AI companies to have the capability to stop or reduce their activities.
The Senate is also examining the issue of AI, and Senator Bernie Sanders plans to hold an event focused on "human-friendly" AI. Senator Ruben Gallego has also stated that the dangers of AI are greater than nuclear weapons and the internet.
Source: independent.co.uk
