Bill Summary
The "Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act" is a proposed legislation aimed at enhancing the accountability and transparency of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the United States. It directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to conduct a comprehensive study on accountability measures for AI systems, particularly in the context of their use in communications networks and their impact on digital inclusion.
Key components of the Act include:
1. **Study Requirements**: The Assistant Secretary will analyze how accountability measures are currently integrated into AI systems, assess their role in bridging the digital divide, and evaluate their effectiveness in mitigating cybersecurity risks. The study will also explore the definitions of "trustworthy" in relation to AI and its connection to concepts like "responsibility" and "human-centric" design.
2. **Stakeholder Engagement**: To inform the study, the Assistant Secretary will hold public meetings with stakeholders from various sectors, including industry, academia, and consumers, to gather feedback on accountability measures for AI systems.
3. **Reporting**: A report summarizing the findings of the study, stakeholder feedback, and recommendations for both government and non-government actions to promote effective accountability measures must be submitted to relevant congressional committees within 18 months of the Act's enactment.
4. **Information Availability**: The Assistant Secretary will also hold meetings to gather input on what information about AI systems should be accessible to the public and how to effectively disseminate this information.
Overall, the Act aims to establish a framework for responsible AI governance that prioritizes trustworthiness and public engagement in the development and deployment of AI technologies.
Possible Impacts
The **Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act** could have various impacts on individuals and communities. Here are three examples of how this legislation might affect people:
1. **Enhanced Consumer Protection**: The Act aims to establish accountability measures for artificial intelligence systems. As a result, individuals who use services and products powered by AI (such as social media platforms, telecommunications, and other digital services) might experience increased protection from harmful practices. This could include better transparency regarding how AI systems make decisions, reducing the likelihood of biased or harmful outcomes that could affect users' rights and privacy.
2. **Increased Access to Information**: The requirement for public meetings and stakeholder consultations means that consumers, communities, and businesses will have opportunities to voice their concerns and suggestions regarding AI systems. This process could lead to more accessible information about how these systems operate, their potential risks, and how they can be used responsibly. As a result, people may feel more informed and empowered when interacting with AI technologies, leading to more informed choices.
3. **Promotion of Digital Inclusion**: The study mandated by the legislation includes examining how accountability measures can help close the digital divide and promote digital inclusion. This may lead to initiatives that ensure underserved communities have equitable access to AI technologies and the internet. Consequently, people in these communities may benefit from increased opportunities for education, employment, and economic advancement as they gain access to digital resources and tools that were previously unavailable to them.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1694 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1694
To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information to conduct a study and hold public meetings with respect to
artificial intelligence systems, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 27, 2025
Mr. Harder of California (for himself and Ms. Kelly of Illinois)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information to conduct a study and hold public meetings with respect to
artificial intelligence systems, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Artificial Intelligence
Accountability Act'' or the ``AI Accountability Act''.
SEC. 2. STUDY ON ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
SYSTEMS.
(a) Study.--The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications
and Information shall conduct a study on accountability measures for
artificial intelligence systems, which shall include an analysis of the
following:
(1) How accountability measures are being incorporated into
artificial intelligence systems used by communications networks
(including telecommunications networks and social media
platforms) and electromagnetic spectrum sharing applications.
(2) How accountability measures for artificial intelligence
systems can facilitate the closing of the digital divide and
assist the promotion of digital inclusion in the United States.
(3) How accountability measures may reduce risks related to
artificial intelligence systems, including cybersecurity risks.
(4) How the term ``trustworthy'' is used and defined in the
context of artificial intelligence, including how the term may
be applied in various contexts related to artificial
intelligence.
(5) The relationship, with respect to artificial
intelligence, between the term ``trustworthy'' and other terms
such as ``responsible'' and ``human-centric''.
(b) Stakeholder Consultation.--In carrying out the study required
by subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall hold public meetings
to consult with relevant stakeholders for the purpose of soliciting
feedback on accountability measures for artificial intelligence
systems.
(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report on the results of the study required by subsection (a) that
shall include--
(1) the results of the analysis required by subsection (a);
(2) a description of the feedback provided during the
meetings required by subsection (b); and
(3) recommendations for governmental and nongovernmental
actions to support effective accountability measures for
artificial intelligence systems.
(d) Accountability Measure Defined.--In this section, the term
``accountability measure'' means a mechanism, including an audit, an
assessment, or a certification, designed to provide assurance that a
system is trustworthy.
SEC. 3. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS.
(a) Meetings.--The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Communications and Information shall hold public meetings to consult
with relevant stakeholders (including representatives of industry,
academia, and consumers) for the purpose of soliciting feedback on--
(1) the information that should be available to
individuals, communities, and businesses that interact with,
are affected by, or study artificial intelligence systems; and
(2) the most effective methods for making such information
available to such individuals, communities, and businesses.
(b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report on the results of the meetings required by subsection (a) that
shall include--
(1) a description of the feedback provided during the
meetings; and
(2) recommendations with respect to--
(A) the information that should be available to
individuals, communities, and businesses that interact
with, are affected by, or study artificial intelligence
systems; and
(B) the methods to be used for making such
information available to such individuals, communities,
and businesses.
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