Basics
A Roadmap for AI
Technology
Published on October 21, 2024
Overview
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across industries, reshaping how we work, live, and interact with technology. AI systems can process vast amounts of data, perform tasks traditionally requiring human intelligence, and adapt through machine learning. This exponential growth has led to innovations in healthcare, finance, and education, but it also raises critical concerns. Ethical AI usage, job displacement, and security threats are central questions in the debate on how society should manage the widespread adoption of AI technologies.
In response to the rapid development of AI, U.S. lawmakers have released a roadmap for AI policy, aiming to balance innovation with necessary regulation. In a press release, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer outlined the bipartisan AI Working Group’s effort to address both the opportunities and risks AI poses. He emphasized the need for swift legislative action to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of AI while addressing concerns like job displacement, security, and ethical issues through careful policy crafting and collaboration across party lines. It also urges support for the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to ensure these agencies have the tools to develop and regulate AI.
In this Basic, we will discuss Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s AI Roadmap and its implications for businesses and policymakers.
Setting the Scene
The Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group, led by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Todd Young (R-IN), unveiled a roadmap for U.S. AI policy. After hosting nine forums and consulting over 150 experts, the group outlined some key priorities. These include:
- Boosting AI innovation funding
- Setting national AI safety and fairness standards
- Enhancing national security through AI
- Addressing potential job displacement
- Tackling election-related deep fakes
- Ensuring AI technology benefits schools and businesses across the country
The Working Group was established in May 2023 to serve as the driving force behind Congress’ response to AI. The group has engaged in hundreds of stakeholder meetings and hosted nine AI Insight Forums, featuring conversations with CEOs of major technology companies to understand their perspective. The group has focused on workforce displacement, national security, intellectual property, election disinformation, and domestic innovation.
As the AI landscape rapidly evolves, the group’s roadmap highlights the need for a cohesive strategy to address opportunities and risks. By establishing clear guidelines and support structures, Congress aims to foster a robust environment for AI research and development while mitigating potential threats. This proactive approach reflects a growing recognition of AI’s transformative potential and the necessity for a balanced regulatory framework that ensures ethical and responsible use.
Seeking ways to harness AI’s power and innovation to safeguard the U.S. from adversaries and geopolitical threats is a primary concern for policymakers. This aligns with their other priority of promoting and supporting domestic AI innovation. Furthermore, the emphasis on national security underscores the strategic importance of AI in maintaining global competitiveness. The federal government’s commitment to substantial investment in AI research and development is intended to strengthen its defensive capabilities and drive economic growth and technological advancement. By prioritizing these areas, the roadmap sets the stage for the U.S. to remain at the forefront of AI innovation while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape.
While AI has been extensively discussed at government and private sector levels, this roadmap clearly previews Congress’ priorities. The Roadmap on AI is not currently a series of formal legislative proposals; however, it could preview legislation in the coming months. With this, Senate Majority Leader Schumer and his colleagues have announced a continued push by the U.S. government to lead globally in AI regulation.
Digging Deeper
The Roadmap expresses significant concern about AI’s potential effects on employment, particularly regarding worker displacement. It advocates for several measures to address these issues and ensures stakeholder consultations during developing and deploying AI tools, including specific engagement around federal AI procurement and usage. It also calls for legislation focused on training, retraining, and upskilling the workforce to thrive in an AI-driven economy, with incentives for community colleges and universities to support these initiatives. Additionally, the Roadmap suggests exploring AI’s impact on the future of work. It proposes improvements to the U.S. immigration system for highly skilled STEM workers to bolster national security and advance AI innovation. Each section of the Roadmap features a range of policy recommendations, including developing a national framework for autonomous vehicles and substantial new federal investments in AI. The Roadmap outlines critical areas where the U.S. can enhance the advantages of AI, mitigate potential risks, and remain competitive with strategic rivals like China.
In this roadmap, the working group aimed to identify bipartisan opportunities for comprehensive AI regulation that merit deeper committee consideration. The group collectively recommends allocating $32 billion annually in non-defense funding to support AI research and development, positioning the United States as a global leader. This funding is proposed to be distributed among:
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Energy
- National Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Although these recommendations are not mandatory, the roadmap will guide relevant committees in shaping future legislation. Senate Majority Leader Schumer envisions the report as a strategic framework for AI regulation in the coming years, emphasizing areas where a strong bipartisan agreement exists.
What Does This Mean?
The push for AI legislation this year represents a pivotal moment for both businesses and policymakers. As the federal government intensifies its focus on regulating artificial intelligence, businesses have a unique opportunity to engage in the legislative process and help shape policies that impact their operations. This also presents a chance for policymakers to engage with industry leaders and craft regulations that balance innovation with oversight. Navigating this evolving landscape will require collaboration and strategic communication from all parties involved to ensure that the resulting framework supports technological advancement while addressing key concerns.
AI legislation is now a key focus for this year, with Senate Majority Leader Schumer aiming to pass a bill before the year’s end. However, the election season and escalating global conflicts could present significant challenges to this timeline. Despite these hurdles, the push for AI legislation opens avenues for policymakers to engage with businesses, providing a valuable opportunity for dialogue.
Businesses will also play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming legislative agenda. They can interact with influential stakeholders in the private and public sectors to voice their perspectives on AI regulation. Businesses will carefully craft their messaging to maximize their impact and develop a well-defined position on AI. This includes outlining how they plan to adapt and leverage this transformative technology. Engaging proactively in these conversations will help businesses navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and influence the creation of legislation that aligns with industry needs and innovations. Given Senate Majority Leader Schumer’s role in organizing the Working Group, he is expected to ensure that Congress starts the process of approving AI legislation in 2024.