Could it be that 2025 could mark the advent of significant AI legislation? Will we witness a unified set of rules or a collection of varied decisions? According to CEO Jules Polonetsky, this might be the question on everyone's lips.
In the first days of 2025, the 119th Congress is grappling with the complexities of AI regulation, presenting both challenges and opportunities.
An op-ed published by Jules Polonetsky on Tech Policy Press on January 10, 2025, highlights the risks associated with the lack of federal regulation of AI, including potential bias, privacy violations, and economic disruption. The op-ed calls for the 119th Congress to take action on AI regulation to protect consumers, maintain U.S. competitiveness, and ensure ethical AI development.
The op-ed notes that the European Union has taken a leading role in AI regulation, with its proposed AI Act. However, the 119th Congress, while showing strong interest in AI, is more likely to prioritize other tech issues such as online speech and child safety.
The primary focus of the 119th Congress regarding AI regulation is on mitigating harms related to AI. This includes defending against economic and national security risks posed by AI in financial crimes, including fraud and misinformation, as well as addressing digital exploitation through legislation prohibiting digital forgeries of intimate visuals. Key measures involve requiring interagency coordination and reports on policies to counter these risks and criminalizing reckless digital forgeries.
Federal legislation has prioritized national security considerations, such as assessing AI capabilities of the PRC (China) relative to the U.S. to ensure American leadership in AI standards and innovation. Congress directs agencies like NIST to advance AI research, develop voluntary standards, and conduct national security model evaluations to maintain U.S. leadership in AI.
However, broader regulatory approaches have been constrained under the current administration, which favors deregulation. Proposals like a moratorium on state and local AI regulations for several years have emerged, indicating a cautious federal regulatory stance intended to promote AI infrastructure and innovation with minimal direct constraints.
As of the first days of 2025, over 40 AI-related proposals have been presented in the 119th Congress. The balance between AI regulation, national security, economic harm mitigation, and innovation leadership is a delicate one, reflecting a focus on strategic risk mitigation and promoting U.S. competitiveness in AI.
[1] Source: Polonetsky, J. (2025). A Call to Action on AI Regulation. Tech Policy Press. [2] Source: U.S. Congress (2025). National Security and AI Research and Development Act. [3] Source: U.S. Congress (2025). American AI Competitiveness Act.
- The op-ed by Jules Polonetsky published in Tech Policy Press on January 10, 2025, emphasizes the need for policy and legislation on artificial-intelligence, advocating for the 119th Congress to address issues like potential bias, privacy violations, and economic disruption, all of which are crucial components of policy-and-legislation regarding AI.
- While the European Union has made strides in AI regulation with its proposed AI Act, the 119th Congress, despite showing interest in AI, may prioritize other tech issues such as online speech and child safety, signifying a shift in politics in AI regulation.
- Under the current administration, broader regulatory approaches have been constrained, favoring deregulation. However, proposals like a moratorium on state and local AI regulations for several years suggest a cautious federal regulatory stance aimed at promoting AI infrastructure and innovation within the realm of general-news.
