[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2202 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2202
To establish a coordinated Federal initiative to accelerate artificial
intelligence research and development for the economic and national
security of the United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 10, 2019
Mr. Lipinski (for himself and Mr. Reed) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a coordinated Federal initiative to accelerate artificial
intelligence research and development for the economic and national
security of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Growing Artificial
Intelligence Through Research Act'' or the ``GrAITR Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVE
Sec. 101. National Artificial Intelligence Initiative.
Sec. 102. National Artificial Intelligence Coordination Office.
Sec. 103. Interagency Committee.
Sec. 104. Advisory Committee.
TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES
Sec. 201. In general.
TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS
FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Sec. 301. Artificial intelligence research and education program.
Sec. 302. Multidisciplinary centers for artificial intelligence
research and education.
TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Sec. 401. In general.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) there is a need for a National Artificial Intelligence
Initiative, including a comprehensive artificial intelligence
research and development strategy and coordination across
agencies;
(2) there are currently several committees working on
related tasks with respect to artificial intelligence and many
agency representatives serve on multiple such committees with
similar goals with respect to artificial intelligence; and
(3) the reporting structure of such committees could be
simplified to address efficiently the goals of the Initiative.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Artificial intelligence.--The term ``artificial
intelligence''--
(A) means intelligent machines that use algorithms,
computer programs, and other techniques to behave in
ways commonly thought to require intelligence; and
(B) includes forms such as machine learning,
computer vision, and natural language processing.
(2) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee''
means the committee established or designated under section
104.
(3) Emerging research institution.--The term ``emerging
research institution'' means an institution of higher education
that--
(A) receives less than $20,000,000 in Federal
research funding annually; and
(B) may grant a doctoral degree.
(4) Industry.--The term ``industry'' means entities in
industries relevant to artificial intelligence.
(5) Initiative.--The term ``Initiative'' means the National
Artificial Intelligence Initiative established under section
101.
(6) Institutions of higher education.--The term
``institutions of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(7) Interagency committee.--The term ``Interagency
Committee'' means the committee established or designated under
section 104(a).
(8) K-12 education.--The term ``K-12 education'' means
elementary school and secondary education, as such terms are
defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(9) Machine learning.--The term ``machine learning'' means
a subfield of artificial intelligence that is characterized by
giving computers the autonomous ability to progressively
optimize performance of a specific task based on data without
being explicitly programmed.
TITLE I--NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVE
SEC. 101. NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INITIATIVE.
The President shall establish and implement an initiative with
respect to artificial intelligence, to be known as the ``National
Artificial Intelligence Initiative''. In carrying out the Initiative,
the President shall, acting through appropriate Federal entities,
including the Networking and Information Technology Research and
Development Program--
(1) establish the objectives, priorities, and metrics for
the strategic plans under section 103 to accelerate development
of artificial intelligence science and technology applications
in the United States;
(2) invest in artificial intelligence science and
technology research, development, demonstration, application to
analysis and modeling, and other activities;
(3) support the development of an artificial intelligence
science and technology workforce pipeline by making strategic
investments to--
(A) expand the number of researchers, educators,
and students with training in artificial intelligence
science and technology to develop a workforce pipeline;
(B) increase the number of skilled and trained
workers from underrepresented groups who can contribute
to the development of artificial intelligence
technologies, diversify the workforce, and expand the
workforce pipeline;
(C) promote the development and inclusion of
multidisciplinary curricula and research opportunities
for artificial intelligence science and engineering,
including advanced technological education, during the
primary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate,
postdoctoral, adult learning, and career retraining
stages of education; and
(D) equip workers with the knowledge and skill sets
required to operate effectively in occupations and
workplaces that will be increasingly influenced by
artificial intelligence;
(4) facilitate coordination of efforts and collaboration
with respect to artificial intelligence among Government,
Federal and national laboratories, nonprofit organizations,
institutions of higher education, and industry;
(5) leverage existing Federal investments, and partner with
industry and institutions of higher education to leverage
knowledge and resources, to advance objectives and priorities
of the Initiative;
(6) strengthen research, development, demonstration, and
application in the fields of artificial intelligence science
and technology by--
(A) addressing basic research knowledge gaps with
respect to artificial intelligence through research;
(B) promoting the further development of facilities
and centers available for artificial intelligence
science and technology research, testing, and
education;
(C) stimulating research on, and promoting more
rapid development and commercialization of, artificial
intelligence-based technologies;
(D) promoting research into the effects of
artificial intelligence and applications of artificial
intelligence on society, the workforce and workplace,
and individuals, including those from underrepresented
groups;
(E) promoting data sharing among the Federal
Government, academic researchers, the private sector,
and other practitioners of artificial intelligence;
(F) identifying and minimizing inappropriate bias
in data sets, algorithms, and other aspects of
artificial intelligence; and
(G) supporting efforts to create metrics to assess
safety, security, and reliability of applications of
artificial intelligence science and technology; and
(7) ensure that artificial intelligence research,
development, demonstration, and application efforts create
measurable benefits for all individuals in the United States,
including members of disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.
SEC. 102. NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COORDINATION OFFICE.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, in consultation with the Director of the National
Science Foundation, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of
Commerce shall establish or designate, and appoint a director of, an
office to be known as the ``National Artificial Intelligence
Coordination Office''.
(b) Duties.--The National Artificial Intelligence Coordination
Office shall--
(1) provide technical and administrative support to the
Advisory Committee;
(2) serve as the point of contact on Federal artificial
intelligence activities for government organizations, academia,
industry, professional societies, State artificial intelligence
programs, interested citizen groups, and others to exchange
technical and programmatic information;
(3) conduct public outreach, including dissemination of
findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, as
appropriate; and
(4) promote access to and early application of the
technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from
Initiative activities to agency missions and systems across the
Federal Government, and to United States industry, including
startup companies.
(c) Funding.--The National Artificial Intelligence Coordination
Office shall be funded through interagency funding.
(d) Report.--Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall
report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, and the House of Representatives Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology on the funding of the Artificial Intelligence
Coordination Office. The report shall include--
(1) the amount of funding required to adequately fund the
Office;
(2) the adequacy of existing mechanisms to fund this
Office; and
(3) the actions taken by the Director to ensure stable
funding of this Office.
SEC. 103. INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall establish or designate an Interagency Committee
on Artificial Intelligence.
(b) Duties.--The Interagency Committee, in consultation with the
Advisory Committee, shall--
(1) coordinate the artificial intelligence and technology
research and education activities and programs of the Federal
agencies;
(2) establish objectives and priorities of the Initiative,
consistent with the goals in section 3, based on identified
knowledge and workforce gaps and other national needs;
(3) assess and recommend Federal infrastructure needs to
support the Initiative; and
(4) evaluate opportunities for international cooperation
with strategic allies on research and development in artificial
intelligence and technology.
(c) Chairs.--The Interagency Committee shall be jointly chaired by
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
Director of the National Science Foundation, and the Secretary of
Energy.
(d) Strategic Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Advisory Committee shall develop a 5-year
strategic plan, and 6 years after enactment of the Act develop an
additional 5-year strategic plan, with periodic updates as appropriate
to guide the activities of the Initiative, meet Initiative goals and
priorities, and anticipate outcomes at the participating agencies. In
carrying out this subsection, the Interagency Committee should take in
to consideration the reports from the Advisory Committee, as described
below.
(e) Composition.--The Interagency Committee shall be comprised of
representatives from--
(1) the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
(2) the National Science Foundation;
(3) the Department of Energy;
(4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(5) the Department of Defense;
(6) the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;
(7) the Office of Management and Budget;
(8) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
(9) the National Institutes of Health; and
(10) any other Federal agency as considered appropriate by
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
SEC. 104. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy (in this section referred to as the ``Director'')
shall establish or designate an National Artificial Intelligence
Advisory Committee.
(b) Qualifications.--The Director shall appoint members to the
Advisory Committee who are qualified to provide advice and information
on artificial intelligence and technology research, development,
demonstrations, education, infrastructure, technology transfer,
commercial applications, or concerns of a national security, social, or
economic nature. The set of appointees shall collectively have
expertise on a wide range of defense and non-defense Artificial
Intelligence applications.
(c) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy on matters relating to the
Initiative, including assessing--
(1) trends and developments in artificial intelligence,
including the current and near future state of artificial
intelligence systems and forecasting;
(2) progress made in implementing the Initiative;
(3) the need to revise the Initiative;
(4) the balance among the components of the Initiative,
including funding levels for the Initiative component areas;
(5) whether the Initiative component areas, priorities, and
technical goals are helping to maintain United States
leadership in artificial intelligence and technology;
(6) the management, coordination, implementation, and
activities of the Initiative; and
(7) whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and
workforce concerns are adequately addressed by the Initiative.
(d) Reports.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the most
recent assessment under subsection (c), and quadrennially thereafter,
the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives a report of its assessments
under subsection (c) and its recommendations for ways to improve the
Initiative.
(e) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--Non-Federal members of
the Advisory Committee, while attending meetings of the Advisory
Committee or while otherwise serving at the request of the head of the
Advisory Committee away from their homes or regular places of business,
may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States
Code, for individuals in the government serving without pay. Nothing in
this subsection shall be construed to prohibit members of the Advisory
Committee who are officers or employees of the United States from being
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with existing law.
(f) Exemption From Sunset.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.
TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES
SEC. 201. IN GENERAL.
(a) National Institute of Standards and Technology Activities.--As
part of the Initiative, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (in this section, referred to as the
``Director'') shall--
(1) carry out the Initiative, as appropriate;
(2) support the development of measurements and standards
necessary to advance commercial development of artificial
intelligence applications, including by--
(A) developing measurements and standards; and
(B) supporting the efforts to develop measurements
and consensus standards by standards development
organizations;
(3) establish and support collaborative ventures or
consortia with public or private sector entities, including
institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, and
industry, for the purpose of advancing fundamental and applied
artificial intelligence research and development; and
(4) use existing authorities to award contracts as
necessary to carry out the Initiative, including cooperative
agreements and other similar transactions.
(b) Artificial Intelligence Outreach.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall conduct outreach--
(A) to receive input from stakeholders on the
development of a plan to address future measurements
and standards related to artificial intelligence; and
(B) to provide an opportunity for public comment on
any such measurements or standards.
(2) Meetings.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and a periodic basis
thereafter, as the Director determines appropriate, the
Director shall convene one or more meetings of
stakeholders, including technical expert
representatives from government organizations,
industry, and institutions of higher education to
discuss topics described in subparagraph (B).
(B) Topics.--Meetings under subparagraph (A) may
cover topics that the Director determines to be
important to the development of standards and
measurements with respect to artificial intelligence,
including--
(i) cybersecurity;
(ii) algorithm accountability;
(iii) algorithm explainability;
(iv) algorithm trustworthiness; and
(v) the establishment of a common lexicon
of artificial intelligence.
(C) Purpose.--The purpose of the meetings under
this subsection shall be--
(i) to assess the contemporary research on
the topic determined by the Director under
subparagraph (B);
(ii) to evaluate the research gaps relating
to such topic; and
(iii) to provide an opportunity for
stakeholders to provide recommendations on what
the current research needs are that the
National Institute of Standards and Technology
and the Initiative may address.
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall transmit to
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a summary report containing a
description of the results of outreach and meetings conducted
under this section.
(c) Appropriation.--There are authorized to be appropriated
$90,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 to carry out
this section.
TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS
FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
SEC. 301. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--As part of the Initiative, the Director of the
National Science Foundation (in this section, referred to as the
``Director'') shall establish and implement a research and education
program on artificial intelligence and engineering.
(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program required under
subsection (a), the Director shall carry out the Initiative as
appropriate and shall--
(1) continue to support interdisciplinary research on, and
human resources development in, all aspects of artificial
intelligence science and engineering, including--
(A) algorithm accountability;
(B) minimization of inappropriate bias in training
data sets or algorithmic feature selection;
(C) qualitative and quantitative forecasting of
future capabilities and applications; and
(D) the societal and ethical implications of
artificial intelligence;
(2) use existing authorities and programs and collaborate
with other Federal agencies--
(A) to improve the teaching and learning of
artificial intelligence science and engineering during
the primary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate,
postgraduate, adult learning, and career retraining
stages of education;
(B) to increase participation in the artificial
intelligence fields, including by individuals
identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a;
42 U.S.C. 1885b);
(C) to formulate goals for education activities
related to artificial intelligence engineering and
research to be supported by the National Science
Foundation related to topics important to the
Initiative, including--
(i) algorithm accountability;
(ii) algorithm explainability;
(iii) consumer data privacy;
(iv) the assessment and minimization of
inappropriate bias in training data and output;
(v) the societal and ethical implications
of the use of artificial intelligence;
(vi) algorithm trustworthiness; and
(vii) algorithmic forecasting;
(D) to engage with institutions of higher
education, research communities, potential users of
information produced under this section, entities in
the private sector, and non-Federal entities--
(i) to leverage the collective body of
knowledge from existing artificial intelligence
and engineering research and education
activities; and
(ii) to support partnerships among
institutions of higher education and industry
that facilitate collaborative research,
personnel exchanges, and workforce development;
(E) to coordinate research efforts funded through
existing programs across the directorates of the
National Science Foundation; and
(F) to ensure adequate access to artificial
intelligence and engineering research and education
infrastructure, including through development of
hardware and facilitation of the use of computing
resources, including cloud-based computing services.
(c) Graduate Traineeships.--In carrying out the program required
under subsection (a), the Director may provide traineeships to graduate
students at institutions of higher education who--
(1) are United States nationals or aliens lawfully admitted
for permanent residence in the United States; and
(2) who choose to pursue masters or doctoral degrees in
artificial intelligence.
SEC. 302. MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
(in this section, referred to as the ``Director''), in consultation
with other Federal agencies as appropriate, shall award grants to
eligible entities to establish up to 5 research and education centers
(in this section, referred to as ``Centers'') to conduct research and
education activities in support of the Initiative, to be known as
``Multidisciplinary Centers for Artificial Intelligence Research and
Education''.
(b) Eligible Entities.--In this section, the term ``eligible
entity'' means--
(1) an institution of higher education;
(2) a relevant nonprofit or private sector organization;
(3) a State or local government; and
(4) a consortium of entities that consists of entities
described in paragraphs (1) through (3).
(c) K-12 Education.--Not less than 1 grant under this section must
be for a Center with the primary purpose of integrating artificial
intelligence into K-12 education.
(d) Application.--An eligible entity seeking funding under this
section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Director may
require. The application shall include--
(1) a plan for the proposed Center--
(A) to work with other research institutions,
emerging research institutions, and industry to
leverage expertise in artificial intelligence,
education and curricula development, and technology
transfer;
(B) to promote active collaboration among
researchers in multiple disciplines and across multiple
institutions involved in artificial intelligence
research including physics, engineering, mathematical
sciences, computer and information science, biological
and cognitive sciences, material science, education,
social and behavioral sciences, such as industrial-
organizational psychology;
(C) to integrate into the activities of the Center
consideration of the ethics of artificial intelligence
development, technology usage, and data collection,
storage, and sharing, including training data sets;
(D) to support long-term and short-term workforce
development in the artificial intelligence field,
including broadening participation of underrepresented
groups; and
(E) to support an innovation ecosystem to work with
industry to translate Center research into applications
and products; and
(2) a description of the anticipated long-term impact of
the Center beyond the termination of support under this
section.
(e) Selection and Duration.--
(1) In general.--A Center established using a grant under
this section may receive funding under this section for a
period of 5 years.
(2) Extension.--Such a Center may apply for, and the
Director may grant, an extension of a grant under this section
for an additional 5-year period.
(3) Termination.--The Director may terminate funding under
this section for an underperforming Center for cause.
(f) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated
$10,000,000 for each Center established under this section for each of
fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH PROGRAM
SEC. 401. IN GENERAL.
(a) Program.--As a part of the Initiative, the Secretary of Energy
(in this section, referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a
research program on artificial intelligence.
(b) Components.--In carrying out the program required under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
(1) formulate objectives for artificial intelligence
research to be supported by the Department of Energy that are
consistent with the Initiative;
(2) leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing
artificial intelligence research;
(3) coordinate research efforts funded through existing
programs across the Office of Science;
(4) engage with other Federal agencies, research
communities, and potential users of information produced under
this section; and
(5) build, maintain, and, to the extent practicable, make
available for use by academic, government, and private sector
researchers, the computing hardware and software necessary to
carry out a research program in artificial intelligence
science.
(c) Research Centers.--
(1) Grants.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
may award grants to eligible entities to establish and operate
up to 5 artificial intelligence research centers (in this
section, referred to as ``Centers'') for the purpose described
in paragraph (3).
(2) Selection.--
(A) In general.--Such grants shall be awarded
through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, and
consider applications from National Laboratories,
institutions of higher education including emerging
research institutions, research centers, multi-
institutional collaborations, and other appropriate
entities.
(B) Eligible entities.--In this section, the term
``eligible entity'' means--
(i) an institution of higher education;
(ii) a relevant nonprofit or private sector
organization;
(iii) a State or local government;
(iv) a National Laboratory or a federally
funded research and development center; and
(v) a consortium of entities that consists
of entities described in clauses (i) through
(iv).
(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the Centers established under
this section is--
(A) to serve the needs of the Department of Energy
and academic, educational, and private sector entities
that the Secretary determines appropriate;
(B) to advance research and education in artificial
intelligence and improving the competitiveness of the
United States; and
(C) to provide access to computing resources to
promote scientific progress and enable users from
institutions of higher education, educational
institutions, the National Laboratories, and industry--
(i) to make scientific discoveries relevant
to artificial intelligence research;
(ii) to conduct research to accelerate
scientific breakthroughs in artificial
intelligence science and technology;
(iii) to support research conducted under
this section; and
(iv) to increase the distribution of
research infrastructure and broaden the
spectrum of students exposed to the artificial
intelligence research at institutions of higher
education, including emerging research
institutions.
(4) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure the
coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the
activities of each Center with the activities of--
(A) other research entities of the Department,
including the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, the
Energy Frontier Research Centers, and the Energy
Innovation Hubs; and
(B) industry.
(5) Duration.--
(A) In general.--Any center selected and
established under this section is authorized to carry
out activities for a period of 5 years.
(B) Extension.--Such a Center may apply for, and
the Director may grant, an extension of a grant under
this section for an additional 5-year period.
(C) Termination.--Consistent with the existing
authorities of the Department, the Secretary may
terminate an underperforming Center for cause during
the performance period.
(d) Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
$225,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 to the
Office of Science of the Department of Energy to carry out this
section.
(2) Limit.--Not less than $100,000,000 of funds
appropriated under paragraph (1) shall be used to carry out
subsections (a) and (b).
<all>
GrAITR Act
#2202 | HR Congress #116
Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesComputer security and identity theftComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEmployment and training programsEnergy researchExecutive Office of the PresidentExecutive agency funding and structureHigher educationMinority educationMinority employmentPublic-private cooperationResearch administration and fundingResearch and developmentScience and engineering educationTeaching, teachers, curricula
Last Action: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. (4/10/2019)
Bill Text Source: Congress.gov
Summary and Impacts
Original Text