Bill Summary
The "Strategy for Public Health Preparedness and Response to Artificial Intelligence Threats" bill mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a comprehensive strategy to address public health risks associated with the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI).
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Definitions**: It defines artificial intelligence and relevant public health terms, ensuring clarity in the context of the legislation.
2. **Strategy Development**: The Secretary must develop and submit a strategy within 180 days of enactment, focusing on mitigating AI-related threats to national health security. This strategy should include:
- A framework for preparedness and response.
- Identification of the Secretary's responsibilities and success metrics.
- An assessment of current public health capabilities and gaps.
- Proposed strategies to strengthen preparedness against AI threats, particularly concerning biological weapons and resistant viruses.
3. **National Security Considerations**: The strategy must be shared with relevant congressional committees while safeguarding sensitive national security information.
4. **Coordination of Federal Responses**: The bill also amends existing public health laws to ensure that responses to AI-related threats are incorporated into federal preparedness efforts.
Overall, this legislation aims to proactively address potential public health challenges posed by advancements in AI technology.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Strategy for Public Health Preparedness and Response to Artificial Intelligence Threats" legislation could affect people:
1. **Enhanced Public Health Safety**: The legislation mandates the development of a strategy to address the potential misuse of artificial intelligence that could threaten public health. This could lead to the implementation of more robust public health protocols and preventive measures, reducing the risk of AI-related threats such as engineered biological weapons or the creation of drug-resistant pathogens. As a result, the general public may experience increased safety from potential health crises stemming from malicious AI applications.
2. **Resource Allocation and Job Creation**: By requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to identify gaps in public health capabilities and develop countermeasures, the legislation may lead to increased funding and resources directed toward public health initiatives. This could create job opportunities in research, healthcare, and technology sectors as professionals work to develop and implement effective strategies against AI threats. Individuals may find new career paths in biosecurity, data analysis, and public health management.
3. **Public Awareness and Education**: As part of the strategy, there may be initiatives to educate the public about the risks associated with artificial intelligence and its potential misuse in the health sector. This could increase awareness among citizens regarding AI technologies, their benefits, and their risks. Enhanced public education efforts could empower individuals to engage in discussions about AI ethics and safety, fostering a more informed community that is better prepared for emerging health threats.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 501 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 501
To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a
strategy for public health preparedness and response to artificial
intelligence threats, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 10, 2025
Mr. Budd (for himself and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a
strategy for public health preparedness and response to artificial
intelligence threats, 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 ``Strategy for Public Health
Preparedness and Response to Artificial Intelligence Threats''.
SEC. 2. STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TO
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THREATS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Artificial intelligence.--The term ``artificial
intelligence'' has the meaning given the term in section 238(g)
of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (10 U.S.C. note prec. 4061; Public Law 115-
232).
(2) PHSA definitions.--The terms ``qualified
countermeasure'', ``security countermeasure'', and ``qualified
pandemic or epidemic product'' have the meanings given the
terms in sections 319F-1(a)(2), 319F-2(c)(1)(B), and 319F-3(i),
respectively, of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-
6a(a)(2); (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(c)(1)(B); (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d(i)).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(b) Strategy for Public Health Preparedness and Response to
Artificial Intelligence Threats.--
(1) Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with
stakeholders, including stakeholders developing qualified
countermeasures, security countermeasures, or qualified
pandemic or epidemic products and stakeholders with an
understanding of artificial intelligence technologies, shall
prepare and submit to the relevant committees of Congress a
strategy for public health preparedness and response and
biodefense to address the risks of misuse of artificial
intelligence that present a threat to national health security.
(2) Inclusions.--The strategy under paragraph (1) shall
include--
(A) a framework for public health preparedness and
response to mitigate the risks of misuse of artificial
intelligence that present a threat to national health
security;
(B) identifying the duties, functions, and
preparedness goals for which the Secretary is
responsible in order to prepare for, respond to, and
mitigate the risks of such artificial intelligence
threats, including metrics by which to measure success
in meeting preparedness and risk mitigation goals;
(C) identifying gaps in public health capabilities
to achieve such preparedness and risk mitigation goals;
(D) strategies to address identified gaps and
strengthen public health emergency preparedness and
response capabilities to address such artificial
intelligence threats; and
(E) strategies to mitigate--
(i) the risks posed by the threat of the
misuse of artificial intelligence, at a minimum
of--
(I) the development of biological
weapons; and
(II) the design of viruses and
bacteria that are resistant to
treatment; and
(ii) such other risks posed by the threat
of the misuse of artificial intelligence as are
determined by the Secretary.
(3) Protection of national security.--The Secretary shall
make the strategy under paragraph (1) available to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives, and other congressional committees of
jurisdiction, in a manner that does not compromise national
security.
(c) Coordination of Preparedness for and Response to All-Hazards
Public Health Emergencies.--Section 2811(b)(4)(D) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-10(b)(4)(D)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``deployment of the Federal response'' and
inserting the following: ``deployment of--
``(i) the Federal response'';
(2) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking ``and
such Federal responses'' and inserting the following:
``(ii) such Federal responses'';
(3) in clause (ii) (as so designated), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) such Federal responses covered by
the strategy for public health preparedness and
response to address the risks of misuse of
artificial intelligence that present a threat
to national health security described in
section 2(b) of the Strategy for Public Health
Preparedness and Response to Artificial
Intelligence Threats.''.
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