Urgent Call to Action: Remove AI Regulation Provision from Major Legislation

Significant Concerns Over AI Regulation Moratorium

A coalition of over 140 organizations has urgently urged House leaders to reject a proposal in the House's tax and spending bill that would impose a ten-year moratorium on state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) models. In a letter sent to key congressional leaders, these groups expressed that this blanket prohibition would undermine accountability for technology developers.

Implications of Unchecked AI Development

This moratorium, they argue, would leave companies unaccountable even in cases where their algorithms inflict foreseeable harm. Signatories of this letter included diverse representation, such as tech workers, civil society organizations, and prominent labor groups like Amazon Employees for Climate Justice and Alphabet Workers Union.

Proposed Provision Dangers

• Prohibition on states enforcing laws governing AI.
• Only limited exceptions for laws facilitating deployment of AI systems.
• Avoidance of substantive accountability measures.

Supporters of state-level AI regulation highlight that congressional inaction on comprehensive legislation leaves Americans vulnerable to risks associated with poorly governed AI technologies, such as discrimination.

Legislative Path Ahead

The House Budget Committee's recent vote to advance the tax bill signals the urgency of this issue, but significant hurdles remain as the full chamber prepares for a vote.