December 26, 2020
Landmark artificial intelligence legislation should become law
Tucked away in the 4,517-page annual defense bill awaiting signature is an overlooked piece of legislation on artificial intelligence (AI).
Don’t worry, America. It doesn’t make every military weapon system autonomous or require brigades of robotic infantry. Instead, it’s a sensible, 63-page plan establishing a civilian-led initiative to coordinate and accelerate investments in “trustworthy” artificial intelligence systems across the federal government. In passing this legislation, the United States Congress has demonstrated that it collectively realizes that AI will be transformative, and that urgent research and development is needed to ensure the United States remains the world leader in AI.
AI will touch every sector — from agriculture to healthcare, to transportation to national security.
Make no mistake, the “National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020,” also dubbed as “Division E” of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is the closest thing to a national strategy on AI from the United States to be formally endorsed by Congress. Division E required painstaking negotiations and bipartisan sign-off from nearly 20 committees. The fact that this many committees — each with different jurisdictions, staff, and personalities — in Congress had their handprints on this legislation is a reminder of how difficult moving a bill through the legislative process actually is; but more importantly, it is an indicator of how significant and far-reaching AI technology will be on our society and the economy. It will touch every sector — from agriculture to healthcare, to transportation to national security — and every individual will be impacted in some form or fashion whether it be their jobs, privacy, safety, or livelihood.
Read the full article in The Hill.
More from CNAS
-
The Daily Scoop
Podcast
Greg Grant joins The Daily Scoop to discuss a recent CNAS paper about improving joint operational concept development within the DoD. And they speak to Bob Work about the ongo...
By Greg Grant & Robert O. Work
-
What's next for national security and artificial intelligence
Podcast
Artificial Intelligence and China are at the center of a report from the National Security Commission on artificial intelligence. Commission co-chair Robert Work talks with To...
By Robert O. Work
-
AI with military characteristics
Podcast
What does AI mean for military might, and how are debates over autonomous weapons unfolding in diplomatic backchannels? Robert O. Work and Elsa Kania join FT innovation editor...
By Robert O. Work & Elsa B. Kania
-
Samuel Bendett on AI Development in Russia
Podcast
What is happening in Russia right now with regards to development of artificial intelligence? In today’s bingecast, Samuel Bendett and Robert J. Marks discuss Russian military...
By Samuel Bendett
