Trump Unveils AI Action Plan; Senators Propose Risk Evaluation Act
The Trump administration has unveiled its AI Action Plan, prioritizing innovation and streamlining barriers to AI development. Meanwhile, Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have proposed the Artificial Intelligence Risk Evaluation Act to assess and manage AI-related risks.
The AI Action Plan, spearheaded by President Donald Trump, emphasizes speed and efficiency over safety concerns. It aims to fast-track permitting for nationwide AI data center construction, expanding energy capacity and potentially relaxing clean air and water regulations.
In contrast, the proposed bill by Sens. Hawley and Blumenthal focuses on risk evaluation. If passed, the Department of Energy, under Secretary Chris Wright, will establish a program to track AI safety concerns and examine advanced AI systems. The bill mandates that AI developers submit product information to the DOE before deploying new technology and participate in the DOE program. The program will collect data on 'adverse AI incidents' and require detailed system information from developers.
The Energy secretary would then deliver an annual report to Congress, outlining plans for federal oversight of advanced AI systems based on the DOE program's findings.
The Trump administration's AI Action Plan signals a shift away from a safety-focused approach to AI, while the proposed bill by Sens. Hawley and Blumenthal aims to address potential risks tied to national security, civil liberties, and labor protections. The Department of Energy, under Secretary Chris Wright, will play a pivotal role in implementing these changes if the bill is passed.
