finance
Senate Bill Would Give Commerce Department Authority to Block Adversary AI Transactions
Two Republican senators introduced legislation Tuesday that would expand the Commerce Department's powers to restrict transactions involving artificial intelligence technology linked to foreign adversaries. The measure also seeks to preserve public access to open-source AI software.
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Two Republican senators introduced a bill Tuesday that would expand the Commerce Department's authority to block transactions involving artificial intelligence technology designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned, controlled, or directed by foreign adversary countries.
The legislation would create a new assistant secretary of commerce for information and communications technology supply chains position to oversee the authority. It would also direct the department to maintain public access to open-source AI software.
Foreign adversaries are defined in the bill as nations determined to be actively working against U.S. national security, currently including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. The bill's sponsors cited concerns that adversaries could use the technology in cars, phones, or networks against the United States.
The measure comes as this session of Congress moves toward summer recess and midterm elections, limiting its prospects for standalone passage unless attached to other legislation. President Donald Trump issued an executive order earlier this month directing federal agencies to promote U.S. AI innovation while protecting American intellectual property from exploitation by adversaries.
