As artificial intelligence continues to advance, there’s growing debate over how much oversight the technology needs — and who should be responsible for setting the rules.
Should lawmakers be at the helm of AI regulation, or should the industry have more control over how the technology develops?
Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of The Alliance for Secure AI, told “Morning in America” on Tuesday he believes the federal government has an important role to play in regulation.
“I do think it’s the role of the federal government to have some regulation on AI, especially if you look at things like national security, cybersecurity and export controls over semiconductor chips,” he said.
Steinhauser said bipartisan AI-related bills are already moving through Congress, although he acknowledges the process has been slow.
He also argues Congress needs to take action to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology and establish safeguards around what he calls “rogue AIs.”
“We do need Congress to act to cut off the supply of chips to China so we can stay ahead of them. But also to impose controls on these rogue AIs because we are seeing some incidents there quite concerning,” he said, adding that’s why there’s a push to pass “meaningful safeguards.”
The debate comes as policymakers face a difficult question: How do you regulate a rapidly evolving technology without slowing down the innovation that comes with it?
Washington is divided over how much oversight AI development should face. Some lawmakers are calling for stronger safeguards, while other officials argue that slowing U.S. development could give China an advantage.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has called for “decisive action now.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he wants those top-level AI execs to come to D.C. and try to get on the same page about what these “guardrails” actually look like.
Top industry executives have also called for a slower pace of development, warning that AI may be advancing faster than safety measures can keep up.