A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has called for the government to invest “at least” $32 billion annually to support non-defense artificial intelligence (AI) innovations. This recommendation came from the Senate AI Working Group, which recently published a policy road map to guide the country’s AI efforts.
The Senate AI Working Group suggests a significant increase in AI spending. Their 31-page document recommends that the Senate Appropriations Committee collaborate with other committees to identify and address spending gaps. The group aims to fund cross-government AI research and development, focusing on projects in education, healthcare, and science.
The working group has also proposed an all-of-government “AI-ready data” initiative. This initiative would support responsible AI and applied sciences, including biotechnology, robotics, and advanced computing. The road map’s recommendations are based on insights from conversations with prominent AI leaders, such as Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation, stating, “No technology offers more promise to our modern world than AI. But AI also presents a host of new policy challenges. Harnessing the potential of AI demands an all-hands-on-deck approach and that’s exactly what our bipartisan AI working group has been leading.”
The road map highlights other areas needing funding, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for AI testing and evaluation. It also calls for grants to support AI readiness and cybersecurity for local election boards and AI “Grand Challenge” programs like those by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Moreover, the group seeks further investment in the semiconductor sector, urging more support through the CHIPS and Science Act.
Beyond funding, the lawmakers want to strengthen existing laws to address potential AI-related vulnerabilities. They prioritize national security for emerging technologies, calling for assessments of AI's potential to generate chemical, biological, and nuclear threats.
Misinformation, especially related to deepfakes and nonconsensual intimate images, is another key concern. The road map encourages AI deployers to implement robust protections ahead of the upcoming election to mitigate AI-generated false content while safeguarding First Amendment rights.
The AI Working Group advocates for stronger federal data privacy laws to protect personal information. They suggest legislation addressing data minimization, security, consumer rights, consent, and data brokers. Some discussion forum participants highlighted that a national standard for data privacy protections would provide “legal certainty for AI developers and protection for consumers.”
Senator Mike Rounds commented, “This road map to the future of AI sets the stage as we seek to harness its power to bring greater prosperity to the American people while also mitigating potential long-term risks. We have a real opportunity to shape its future, and we need to embrace this challenge with open arms.”
