Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21), Member of the House Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, introduced the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence Act of 2018. This new legislation would create an independent National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is the ability for computers and machines to learn, without explicitly being programed. It has been described by many as the “new electricity” since it has the potential to transform and permeate every major industry and sector.
“Artificial Intelligence is a constantly developing technology that will likely touch every aspect of our lives,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “AI has already produced many things in use today, including web search, object recognition in photos or videos, prediction models, self-driving cars, and automated robotics. It is critical to our national security but also to the development of our broader economy that the United States becomes the global leader in further developing this cutting edge technology. This legislation I have introduced today will develop a commission to review advances in AI, identify our nation’s AI needs and make actionable recommendations of what direction we need to take. I look forward to advocating for this approach during the NDAA process this year.”
Background:
The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence Act of 2018 will create an independent National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. Specifically, the commission will:
- Conduct a comprehensive and national-level review of advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and associated technologies for the President of the United States and Congress.
- Address and identify the national security needs of the Nation with respect to AI, including economic risk, and other needs for the common defense of the Nation.
- Provide near-term actionable recommendations to the President and the Congress, including ways to more effectively organize the Federal Government for AI.
- Provide annual and actionable recommendations thereafter to our government through 2020.
The Charter and Focus of the Commission Includes Recommendations on:
- Competitiveness: Competitiveness of the U.S. in Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and associated technologies, related to national security, economic security, public-private partnerships, and investments.
- Technological Advantages: Means and methods for the U.S. to maintain a technological advantage in AI and associated technologies, including quantum sciences and high performance computing.
- Cooperation and Competition: Developments and trends in international cooperation and competition, including foreign investments in AI, machine learning, and associated technologies.
- Investments and Research: Means to foster greater emphasis on investments in basic and advanced research by private, public, academic and combined initiatives.
- Workforce and Education: Incentives to attract, recruit and retain leading talent across our Nation.
- International Law and Ethics: Identify and understand the risks associated with advances in AI under the law of armed conflict, international humanitarian law, escalation dynamics, and other ethical considerations related to AI, machine learning, and associated technologies.
- Data and Privacy: Means to establish data standards and open incentives to share data, including the development of privacy- and security-protection measures.