Home AI Policy Leadership AI Legislation Tracker – United States AI Legislation in 2020

AI Legislation in 2020

by Hodan Omaar

National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act (H.R. 6216)

Provides nearly $6.5 billion over the next five years to increase funding for AI research and development (R&D), education, and standards development. To date, this bill is the most ambitious attempt by Congress to advance the development of AI in the United States and could strengthen U.S. AI leadership.

National Cloud Computing Task Force Act (S. 3890)

Establishes a task force to plan a national cloud computing system for AI research, convening experts from academia, government, and industry to develop a detailed roadmap for implementing and deploying this resource. The goal is to provide students and researchers across scientific disciplines with access to cloud computing resources, government and non-government datasets and a research environment. A companion bill (H.R. 7096) has been introduced in the House.

Identifying Outputs of Generative Adversarial Networks (IOGAN) Act (H.R. 4355)

Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support research on manipulated or synthesized media, including the output of generative adversarial networks which are software systems designed to be trained with authentic inputs (e.g., photographs) to generate similar, but artificial, outputs (e.g., deepfakes).

Specifically, the NSF must support research on manipulated or synthesized content and information authenticity and NIST must support research for the development of measurements and standards necessary to accelerate the development of the technological tools to examine the function and outputs of generative adversarial networks or other technologies that synthesize or manipulate content.

Generating Artificial Intelligence Networking Security (GAINS) Act (H.R. 6950)

Directs the Department of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to identify the benefits and barriers to AI adoption  in the United States, survey other nations’ AI strategies and rank how the United States compares, and assess the supply chain risks and how to address those risks. The bill requires the agencies to report the results to Congress, along with recommendations to develop a national AI strategy.

Advancing AI Research Act of 2020 (S. 3891)

Establishes a national program to advance artificial intelligence research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and authorizes multiple research institutes to study the benefits and challenges of AI.

Ensuring American Leadership Over International Standards Act (H. R. 7139) 

Directs NIST to commission a study through the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to examine Chinese government policies and standards development for emerging technologies and their impact on international standards setting organizations.

AI Scholarship-for-Service Act (S. 3901) 

Provides AI practitioners, data engineers, data scientists, and data analysts with higher education scholarships in exchange for a commitment to work for a federal, state, local, or tribal government, or a state, local, or tribal-affiliated non-profit deemed as critical infrastructure. This bill expands on the existing Federal Cyber Scholarship-for-Service program by including AI practitioners.

Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act (S. 3933 / H.R. 7178

Provides incentives to support the research, development, and manufacturing of semiconductors in the United States, including a 40 percent investment tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing and facility investments through 2024. Directs the Department of Commerce to create a $10 billion federal grant program to match state and local incentives for companies building advanced manufacturing semiconductor fabrication facilities in the United States. Establishes a new $50 million semiconductor program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support advanced manufacturing, STEM workforce development, and ecosystem clustering in America. Directs the President to establish a NIST Council Subcommittee on Semiconductor Leadership to develop a strategy for ensuring U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and innovation.

Artificial Intelligence for Armed Forces Act (S. 3965

Ensures that the Director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) is three-star equivalent and requires the Director to report directly to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense is required to develop a training and certification program to better enable DoD’s human resources workforce to bring AI and cyber professionals into the Department, and the Secretary must issue guidance on how the Department can better use existing direct hire authority to onboard AI professionals.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R.6395)

Mandates that the U.S. Comptroller General provides Congress with an assessment of DoD’s resources, capabilities, and plans regarding AI. Requires the development of standard data formats and cooperative agreements for data sharing within DoD. Establishes a JAIC Board of Directors — composed of DoD officials and outside experts — to provide strategic guidance to the JAIC Director. Requires the Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of Defense to report on ties between China and Russia, including scientific and technical educational and professional exchange programs.

Last updated June 19, 2020.

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