Rep. Mike Waltz pushes for new House AI committee at Krach Institute/Global Tech Security Commission event
Axios
06.06.23From Axios Login:
Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) Monday called for the creation of a House committee dedicated to AI in an exclusive interview at an Atlantic Council event with Axios’ Ryan Heath.
Why it matters: Waltz’s call is the first time a member of Congress has publicly called for a new Congressional body dedicated to tackling AI issues.
- Pressure on Congress, and debate among members of Congress, has until now focused on the need for regulation and possibly a federal agency dedicated to AI.
Zoom out: Waltz, a China hawk who fills Ron DeSantis’ old seat, is co-chair of a new, bipartisan think tank called the Global Tech Security Commission.
Be smart: Several Congressional committees already are already wading into AI-related issues.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee, which conducted hearings in May, will hold hearings on AI and intellectual property on Wednesday.
- The House Judiciary Committee and House Science, Space and Technology Committee are also active.
- A bipartisan Congressional AI Caucus has 52 members.
What they’re saying: Waltz warned that Congress is not paying enough attention to AI and could “screw this up,” and called AI the biggest unaddressed threat in the U.S.-China relationship.
- “We need a very small and select committee,” Waltz said, made up of the representatives most knowledgeable on AI and able to do “deep dives.”
- Waltz rejected the idea of pausing AI innovation as “incredibly dangerous” because it would hand economy and military advantages to China.
The other side: David Spirk, a senior counselor at Palantir Technologies and former chief data officer at the Pentagon, told Axios that centralizing Congress’ AI activities “probably is a mistake” and instead urged every committee to improve its AI knowledge.
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