US Senate leader Schumer calls for AI rules as ChatGPT surges in popularity

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he had initiated a campaign to establish guidelines on artificial intelligence to handle national security and education concerns, as use of applications like ChatGPT becomes ubiquitous.

Schumer, a Democrat, released a “framework that outlines a new regulatory regime that would prevent potentially catastrophic damage to our country while simultaneously making sure the U.S. advances and leads in this transformative technology.”

U.S. politicians are particularly interested in ChatGPT, an AI program that can quickly create responses to many questions. With over 100 million monthly active users, it is the fastest-growing consumer app.

Schumer’s idea will need the consent of Congress and the White House and may possibly take months or more. However, is the most solid sign that the U.S. government may enact new legislation to address generative AI concerns.

“Time is of the essence to get ahead of this powerful new technology to prevent potentially wide-ranging damage to society and national security and instead put it to positive use by advancing strong, bipartisan legislation,” Schumer said.

Schumer’s proposal would force firms to allow independent experts to study and test AI technologies ahead of public release or update, and offer users access to findings. He hasn’t written laws.

Schumer called China’s AI regulations “a wake-up call to the nation” this week.

He added it “is imperative for the United States to lead and shape the rules governing such a transformative technology and not permit China to lead on innovation or write the rules of the road.”

Schumer’s office claimed he had spent months “discussing and circulating a high-level framework that outlines a new regulatory regime for artificial intelligence, engaging leading artificial intelligence experts to help inform the proposal.”

Last week, President Joe Biden questioned whether AI is dangerous. “Tech companies have a responsibility, in my view, to make sure their products are safe before making them public,” he said. On Tuesday, the Commerce Department requested input on AI accountability.

China’s cyberspace regulator released proposed rules for overseeing generative AI services on Tuesday, requiring companies to submit security assessments before starting.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O) invests heavily in OpenAI, which invented ChatGPT. Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOGL.O) Google has invested billions on AI to compete in Silicon Valley.

The three firms did not immediately respond Thursday on Schumer’s effort.