As Speaker Mike Johnson said, the House will create a special committee on artificial intelligence to “ensure America continues to lead in this strategic area.” But this announcement feels more like a fiasco after years of indecision with no end in sight.
In some ways, the task force, chaired by California Reps. Ted Lieu and Jay Obanorte, is a welcome sign of Congressional action on an important topic that has become the darling of tech investing. That's a good sign. But another, more important point is that this comes across as lip service at a time when many people feel that AI and technology are being circled around regulators and lawmakers.
Moreover, the depressing partisanship and obstructionism we see daily in Congress makes the idea that this special committee will produce anything of value at any time seem archaic, much less in a historically divisive election year. Even more so.
“As new innovations in AI continue to emerge, Congress and our federal partners must also keep up. House Republicans and Democrats must work together to protect consumers and foster continued investment and innovation in AI. “We will produce a comprehensive report detailing the regulatory standards and Congressional actions necessary to achieve this goal,” Rep. Obanorte said in the announcement.
And Congressman Lew: “AI has the ability to change our lives as we know it. The question is, will AI benefit society, not harm us?” As a recovering computer science major, I know this isn't an easy, immediate, or one-time job, but it's important to understand that in the future of AI, I believe Congress has an important role to play, and it was heartening to see so many members of all political persuasions agree.”
Of course, the White House, numerous government agencies, the European Union, and countless other authorities and organizations have already issued “comprehensive reports” and recommended legislative action, but what else? Or?
It is as if Congress has realized that it is the last real actor lobbying these forces of industry restructuring, so they are reaching across the aisle and taking minimal steps towards future legislation. We patted each other on the back for taking the next step.
But at the same time, with a dysfunctional Congress (passing a historically low number of bills) and attention focused on the 2024 presidential election, the task force will face challenges until it can figure out what can get away with it. It's just a means to overcome it. under the next government.
Certainly, there is nothing wrong with researching AI and its risks and benefits. But it's a little late to announce it. This special committee is long overdue, so while we may welcome it, we may also treat it with the same skepticism that pandering MPs deserve. .
Everyone involved will point that out when asked why they don't act on AI. Many voters are concerned that AI will come to automate their jobs and processes that were once intentionally human-touched. “But we set up this special committee!” Yes, the EU has ever their A special committee has been working on this issue since the beginning of the pandemic.
The task force's announcement did not provide a timeline or deliverables that voters or watchdogs could expect, leaving expectations low. Even reports are just “asked” to be produced by them.
Furthermore, it is difficult to even imagine what the regulatory structure will look like in a year's time, given that professional bodies are at risk of declawing due to Supreme Court rulings. Do you want the FTC, FCC, SEC, EPA, or anyone else to help? In 2025, there may be judicial restraints on such actions.
Perhaps this select committee lacks any real insight into the issues at such a turbulent time, and Congress has acknowledged that all Congress can do is say, “We'll look at it.” I guess that's what it means.