US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
The Senate's bipartisan decision allows states to enforce existing and proposed AI regulations.
In a significant legislative move, the United States Senate voted 99-1 on Monday night to remove a controversial provision from a sweeping domestic policy bill that would have established a 10-year moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence (AI) regulations.
The provision originally sought to prevent states from implementing various AI-related laws, including those addressing sexually explicit content and political deepfakes, until 2033.
The vote took place during a lengthy session known as "vote-a-rama," in which numerous amendments were considered.
The amendment to eliminate the moratorium was co-sponsored by Senators Ed Markey, Maria Cantwell, and Marsha Blackburn.
Markey expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the vote illustrated Congress's commitment to safeguarding communities from potential risks associated with AI technologies.
Earlier in the month, Senate Commerce Committee Republicans had linked the enactment of the moratorium to the allocation of federal funds designed for internet infrastructure efforts, raising concerns among various stakeholders.
While some technology leaders have advanced the idea of a unified federal law to replace the existing patchwork of state regulations, the proposed moratorium elicited alarm from a diverse array of tech professionals, academics, advocacy groups, and policymakers.
Critics of the moratorium highlighted the lack of comprehensive federal legislation governing AI technologies, arguing that it could hinder accountability for tech companies in addressing societal harms.
The Senate's decisive vote against the moratorium comes at a time when multiple states have been actively pursuing legislation to regulate AI usage in a manner they view as necessary for public protection.
The bill must now return to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Notably, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene indicated she would oppose the agenda bill if the Senate did not eliminate the AI regulation moratorium.
Following the Senate's action, proponents of state-level AI regulation expressed optimism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safeguards to protect the public from potential dangers associated with AI advancements.
The provision originally sought to prevent states from implementing various AI-related laws, including those addressing sexually explicit content and political deepfakes, until 2033.
The vote took place during a lengthy session known as "vote-a-rama," in which numerous amendments were considered.
The amendment to eliminate the moratorium was co-sponsored by Senators Ed Markey, Maria Cantwell, and Marsha Blackburn.
Markey expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the vote illustrated Congress's commitment to safeguarding communities from potential risks associated with AI technologies.
Earlier in the month, Senate Commerce Committee Republicans had linked the enactment of the moratorium to the allocation of federal funds designed for internet infrastructure efforts, raising concerns among various stakeholders.
While some technology leaders have advanced the idea of a unified federal law to replace the existing patchwork of state regulations, the proposed moratorium elicited alarm from a diverse array of tech professionals, academics, advocacy groups, and policymakers.
Critics of the moratorium highlighted the lack of comprehensive federal legislation governing AI technologies, arguing that it could hinder accountability for tech companies in addressing societal harms.
The Senate's decisive vote against the moratorium comes at a time when multiple states have been actively pursuing legislation to regulate AI usage in a manner they view as necessary for public protection.
The bill must now return to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Notably, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene indicated she would oppose the agenda bill if the Senate did not eliminate the AI regulation moratorium.
Following the Senate's action, proponents of state-level AI regulation expressed optimism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safeguards to protect the public from potential dangers associated with AI advancements.
