U.S. Representatives Release Report Calling for Increased Federal Support for Artificial Intelligence

U.S. Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Robin Kelly (D-IL), in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Center for New American Security, have released a report outlining suggested guidelines for a national artificial intelligence strategy. The report is titled, “Cementing American Artificial Intelligence Leadership: AI Research & Development,” and it outlines policies the U.S. can enact to remain competitive globally in AI R&D.
 
The report offers six key takeaways:

1. Overall federal AI R&D spending needs to increase significantly.
2. The country needs to expand and diversify its computing capacity.
3. The federal government plays a key role in incentivizing private sector R&D.
4. There needs to be international cooperation to advance AI research and development.
5. The federal government would benefit from opening up avenues for private talent.
6. AI standards and measurement are essential to fostering AI technologies that are safe, secure, reliable, and comport with U.S. norms and values. 

The report conducts a deep dive into each of these six areas and offers specific recommendations for policymakers to achieve the goals. In total, there are 14 policy recommendations that span from asking Congress to double AI R&D spending immediately, to requesting that The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) establish an National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Subcommittee for AI Standards & Measurement. The report aims to increase federal AI spending year-over-year to achieve $25 billion in yearly spending by 2025.

Rep. Hurd is retiring at the end of this Congress, but believes these ideas could provide a blueprint on AI for the next Congress. Reps. Hurd and Kelly have collaborated with the Bipartisan Policy Center in the past, releasing two previous reports on AI, including one on “AI and the Workforce” and another on “AI and National Security.”