"I Will Protect Democracy"... Key Provisions of AI Regulation in US Congress Revealed

US Presidential Election Approaches as Administration and Congress Accelerate Two-Track Regulatory Push

The U.S. Congress has unveiled key provisions of a regulatory proposal on artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at protecting democracy. The core idea is to curb the misuse of technology that escapes human control without restricting corporate innovation activities. The Biden administration has also recently begun discussions to develop AI policies. With growing concerns that AI-generated fake news could disrupt democracy through public opinion manipulation and incitement ahead of next year’s U.S. presidential election, both the administration and Congress are accelerating efforts to establish regulatory measures.

According to U.S. political media outlet The Hill on the 21st (local time), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer revealed the core principles of a "Bipartisan AI Regulatory Framework" during his opening remarks at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The main principles of the framework unveiled that day are security, accountability, democratic foundations, and explainability, aiming to reduce the potential misuse of AI technologies beyond human control while leading technological innovation. It reflects the view that a proper balancing act is needed to regulate the harmful effects of technology without hindering the rapidly growing AI industry.

Senate Majority Leader Schumer emphasized, "All AI-related legislation prioritizes innovation before addressing risks to national security or democratic governance." He added, "AI is so complex that many want to ignore it, but we can no longer be ostriches burying their heads in the sand. What matters is the role Congress and the administration play in this new revolution."

The framework prepared by the U.S. Senate is a preliminary step toward legislation, and CNN reported that it will likely take time to develop detailed legislative proposals. This fall, the Senate plans to hold discussion panels and educational forums with AI industry leaders to prepare AI regulatory proposals.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Separately, the White House has also begun discussions on policy development for AI regulation. The political media outlet Politico reported that "the Biden presidential staff regularly holds meetings to develop policies for the safe use of AI," adding that "meetings are held two to three times a week, indicating an accelerated pace in preparing AI regulatory proposals."

This regulatory movement emerged amid growing concerns over generative AI, such as ChatGPT, which creates sentences, images, and videos, and the social, economic, and security losses caused by AI-generated fake content that appears real.

In particular, with heightened awareness of AI-generated fake news ahead of next year’s U.S. presidential election, both Congress and the administration are speeding up legislative efforts. President Biden met with AI scholars and experts in San Francisco, California, on the same day to discuss how AI can spread fake content and deepen political polarization, emphasizing, "It is important to ensure that AI does not undermine American democracy."

Similar movements are taking place not only in the United States but also in the European Union (EU) and China. Amid the U.S.-China rivalry for supremacy in advanced technology sectors, China plans to seize technological leadership in the AI field?currently led by U.S. companies such as Google and Microsoft?through proactive legislation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.