US Congress delays AI safety rules until after midterm elections
The US Congress plans to go into recess this week until after November's midterm elections, without passing any new rules on the safety of artificial intelligence. President Trump called warnings about dangerous AI development a "hoax" on social media on Monday and rejected any government control over the technology.
Shortly before, leading AI companies including Anthropic, OpenAI and xAI had themselves warned about the risks of their technology. According to CNBC, a former Anthropic researcher who resigned even said the technology could become extremely dangerous by the end of the decade.
Several House Democrats are now calling for the recess to be delayed until safety rules are passed. According to the BBC, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Congress should not leave town without doing something to protect the safety of the American people.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, however, ruled out quick action, calling it "a very complex issue." According to Johnson, Trump instead plans a meeting with AI company leaders at the White House to discuss the companies' self-regulation.
Congress already has several proposals on the table, including a possible "kill switch" for dangerous AI systems, stronger government oversight, or a temporary ban on new data centers proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders. Despite the many ideas, the BBC reports there is no shared plan for what regulation should look like.
Even if Democrats were to win control of both chambers in November's midterms, the BBC notes there is no guarantee of quick agreement, since the party itself is divided on how strictly AI should be regulated.
It remains unclear whether Congress will actually delay its recess or take any action on AI in the coming months.
WHY IT MATTERS
As long as lawmakers and companies fail to agree on binding rules for risky AI systems, it stays unclear how the public will be protected from potential dangers.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
- Stay informed on AI legislation Follow what decisions Congress makes or postpones on AI. This helps you know which safety rules are still missing and what to watch out for yourself.
- Contact your elected representatives Write to your representatives if clear AI rules matter to you. Many politicians pay attention to what voters tell them.
- Question AI outputs carefully Don't blindly trust what an AI tells you or creates for you. Without firm rules, no one can currently guarantee that all AI systems work safely.
- Protect your own data Since there are no nationwide AI rules yet, take care of your data yourself. Use strong passwords and share personal information with AI services sparingly.