But critics on both the left and the right said the AI moratorium, which had earlier been approved by the House, was an attempt to forestall any attempt to regulate new AI systems.
Many also noted that Congress has not passed any significant new tech rules in decades — meaning that a ban on state AI regulations might effectively mean no AI regulation at all.
Read More: Why AI Regulation Has Become a ‘States’ Rights’ Issue The version rejected by the Senate had earlier been reworded to meet budgetary rules, by making acceptance of funding from a $500 million infrastructure program conditional on accepting the moratorium.
Because most Democrats opposed the moratorium, the Republicans could not afford to lose many members of their party on the issue.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop responsible guardrails for AI.”.
The removal of the AI moratorium from the budget bill was welcomed by AI safety experts.
House Republicans could try to resurface the AI provision, but it seems many of them are focused on other issues, notably the deficit and cuts to Medicaid. »