Summary:
The US Senate voted down a provision that would have prohibited states from passing new AI laws or enforcing existing regulations on AI models and automated systems for 10 years. The amendment, co-sponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell and Marsha Blackburn, was removed from a broader domestic policy bill. The decision is a setback for tech investors and companies that lobbied for the measure, while states and consumer protection groups celebrated the victory.
What This Means for You:
- States can now continue to regulate AI, allowing for consumer protection laws and regulations to be enforced.
- Tech companies and investors may face more regulatory challenges as states can now pass new AI laws and enforce existing ones.
- Consumers can benefit from increased protection against AI-related harms, such as deepfakes and fraud.
- The failed ban highlights the ongoing challenge in finding a balance between fostering innovation and protecting consumers from AI’s potential risks.
Original Post:
In a decisive 99-1 vote early Tuesday morning, the U.S. Senate struck down a provision that would have banned states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years.
The amendment, co-sponsored by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., removed the controversial measure from a broader domestic policy bill. The original provision would have prohibited states from passing new AI laws or enforcing existing regulations on AI models and automated systems.
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Cantwell celebrated the victory.
“The Senate came together tonight to say that we can’t just run over good state consumer protection laws,” Cantwell said on Tuesday. “States can fight robocalls and deepfakes and provide safe autonomous vehicle laws. This also allows us to work together nationally to provide a new federal framework on artificial intelligence that accelerates U.S. leadership in AI while still protecting consumers.”
Extra Information:
Learn more about the impact of AI regulation with these resources:
- Brookings: AI regulation on the horizon: What to expect and how to approach it
- The New York Times: The Push for Stronger Artificial Intelligence Regulation
People Also Ask About:
What is the current state of AI regulation in the US?
Several states have already enacted AI-related legislation, while others have AI task forces responsible for researching and crafting regulations around AI technologies.Why did tech investors and companies lobby for the AI moratorium?
Supporters of the ban argued that it would help startups comply with various state laws, stifling innovation, and that a national framework would be more beneficial.What did Washington attorney general Nick Brown say about the proposed AI ban?
Brown criticized the 10-year timeframe as silly and called for states to have the opportunity to regulate.What are some AI-related protections that Washington has already enacted?
The state has banned deepfakes mimicking political rivals, prohibited the non-consensual distribution of AI-generated sexual images, and created rules against fabricated digital likenesses used for fraud.
Expert Opinion:
The failed AI ban in the US Senate represents a critical turning point for AI regulation, demonstrating the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation and consumer protection. It highlights the need for a comprehensive federal framework on AI that encourages responsible development while addressing potential harms.
Key Terms:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- AI regulation
- State consumer protection laws
- AI moratorium
- Deepfakes
- Federal framework on AI
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