Lawmakers unprepared to tackle AI safety

retained text

Technology Newsletter Lawmakers unprepared to tackle AI safety by Julia Shapero and Miranda Nazzaro - 09/15/26 6:36 PM ET Link copied by Julia Shapero and Miranda Nazzaro - 09/15/26 6:36 PM ET Link copied NOW PLAYING Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Technology newsletter Subscribe {beacon} Technology Technology The Big Story Washington caught flat-footed on AI safety Washington is scrambling to manage the abrupt panic around AI development, but party politics, a limited legislative window and lack of consensus make it an uphill, next-to-impossible task. © Greg Nash In the wake of a researcher’s viral warning about the technology, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are floating numerous proposals to prevent the negative potential of AI, while President Trump is doubling down on his light-touch approach to AI regulation. With less than two months on the legislative calendar, the chance of moving last-minute AI safety bills through both chambers and getting the president’s signature are next to zero. “Do you think we’re [Congress] capable of regulating AI? I mean, we can’t pass a budget, you think we’re going to have some great bill on AI?” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) told The Hill on Tuesday. “We’re not going to pass a smart AI bill in three weeks or this year,” he added, referring to the short window the Senate has in session before a monthlong recess for the midterms. Dozens of bills regulating the safety elements of AI were introduced over the past 18 months, most of which remain stagnant due to clashing priorities on AI and the data centers that power them. These policy fights were thrown back into the spotlight this week after 27-year-old AI researcher Jacob Coxon went viral by proclaiming the AI labs believe the technology “could kill humans” but still race towards superintelligence anyway. Among the last-minute proposals is a bill from Republican Sen. John Kennedy (La.) that would require AI companies to implement a so-called “kill switch” into their models. This would be a safety measure that companies can use to pause or shut down certain models. Other lawmakers like Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) are suggesting new committees to “rein in” AI, but industry experts argue this will only further delay what already feels like a tall ask. Read more in a full report Wednesday morning at TheHill.com Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we’re Julia Shapero and Miranda Nazzaro — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future: Bessent grilled on AI, bond market in tense House hearing: 3 takeaways Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faced lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday, amid concerns over rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI) and surging bond yields. During the nearly three-hour-long hearing, Bessent brushed off concerns about AI and defended his department’s intervention in the bond market. But that did not stop Democrats on the panel from taking him … Full Story Dem rep asks Bessent to ‘talk sense’ into Trump on regulating AI Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch (Mass.) on Tuesday urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to convince President Trump to reverse course on regulating artificial intelligence (AI). During Bessent’s appearance before the House Financial Services Committee, Lynch said Trump does not have “a grasp” of “what we’re dealing with” regarding AI. “I’ll be honest, I don’t think the president could spell AI if I gave him the first letter,” … Full Story California Democrat: ‘We need to have a safety stand-down with AI’ Rep. George Whitesides (D-Calif.) on Monday said that the U.S. needs “a safety stand-down” regarding AI amid growing calls for regulation coming from both the tech industry and members of Congress. “I’m setting out a vision for how we need to develop AI,” Whitesides told NewsNation’s Blake Burman on “The Hill.” “I think we need, from my experience in the aerospace industry, … Full Story Ossoff: ‘Compromised’ Trump won’t regulate AISen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) on Monday said President Trump likely will not heed calls from technology leaders to implement guardrails on the development of AI because of his family’s investments in the industry. The Georgia Democrat pointed to venture capitalist firm 1789 Capital — where Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., is a partner — and its investments in AI. “They’ve invested heavily in AI labs. They’ve invested … Full Story The Refresh News we’ve flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: Ex-Google DeepMind researcher adds to warnings that AI could ‘kill all humans’ (Reuters) This obscure philosophy has become Trump’s new AI bogeyman (Axios) Crypto Corner Clarity Act falls short in early hurdle on Senate floor © Greg NashA cryptocurrency regulation bill failed to advance on the Senate floor Tuesday, after all Democrats and a few Republicans blocked a procedural vote. The Senate voted 49-50 on a motion to proceed with consideration of the Clarity Act, failing to reach the required 60-vote threshold. It marks a major setback for the industry, which has long pushed for the measure setting up a regulatory framework for the crypto market. Four Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Josh Hawley (Mo.), Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Thom Tillis (N.C.) — split with the rest of their party to oppose the measure. The vote Tuesday came amid a flurry of last-minute efforts to strike a deal between Republicans and crypto-friendly Democrats. About a dozen Democrats were considered potential yes votes. But they ultimately declined to support the legislation after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on ethics rules amid lingering concerns about President Trump and his family’s involvement in the crypto industry. Check out a full report at TheHill.com. Crypto Corner is a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington. In Other News Branch out with other reads on The Hill:Waters has heated exchange with Bessent on AI Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) went after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday for the Trump administration’s policy on artificial intelligence, as warnings about the technology percolate. During Bessent’s appearance before the House Financial Services Committee, Waters said President Trump is “blindly” pushing for the development of AI models and data centers “with absolutely no safeguards.” The California Democrat, … Full Story Op-eds in The Hill Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill: AI’s architects made a choice. Now they’re calling it fate.When a return to the office is a return to sex-discrimination You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow! Add as preferred source on Google Tags Scott Bessent Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Link copied More Technology Newsletter News See All Technology Newsletter Trump doubles down on AI approach by Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero 1 day ago Technology Newsletter / 1 day ago Technology Newsletter The debate over AI ‘doomsday’ warnings by Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero 4 days ago Technology Newsletter / 4 days ago Technology Newsletter OpenAI calls for mandatory safety requirements by Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero 5 days ago Technology Newsletter / 5 days ago Technology Newsletter Apple’s foldable phone takes center stage by Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero 6 days ago Technology Newsletter / 6 days ago See All Video/Hill.TV See all Hill.TV See all Video THE HILL TV Rising: September 15, 2026 by TheHill.com 09/15/26 1:13 PM ET THE HILL TV / 9 hours ago THE HILL TV Rising: September 11, 2026 by TheHill.com 4 days ago THE HILL TV / 4 days ago THE HILL TV Rising: September 10, 2026 by TheHill.com 5 days ago THE HILL TV / 5 days ago See all Hill.TV See all Video Top Stories See All House Two Democrats cross aisle to help tee up final vote on Russia sanctions bill by Laura Kelly and Sudiksha Kochi 5 hours ago House / 5 hours ago See All FOR HILL INSIDERS The Movement: Friction among conservative media grows as Trump’s approval falls The Movement 09/15/26 Crypto regulation bill faces key Senate test Business 09/15/26 Why Donald Trump has a Joe Biden problem Campaign 09/15/26 Does Trump have a ‘Biden problem’ on the economy? The Fight for 2028 09/15/26 Read More Most Popular Democratic defectors rescue Republicans — again Rogers set to skip Michigan Senate debate over outlet’s ... Beatty reveals heated discussion with Trump over Kennedy Center GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into ... Two Democrats cross aisle to help tee up final vote on Russia sanctions bill Fetterman attended retreat with Fox News executives in Montana Air Force Secretary confirms US deployed weapons in space Trump’s $5,000 dividend falls flat with GOP senators SNAP benefits are changing in October: What to know The 25 notable Capitol Hill staffers for 2026 Democrats grill top Kennedy ally nominated to be HHS no. 2 How IRS’s 2027 tax brackets may change, according to new projections GLP-1-driven vitamin deficiency linked to rare brain disorder: Study Nancy Mace calls for public execution of Lindsay Clancy Ohio city council decides to rename Lake Erie to ‘Gulf of Cleveland’ Cook Political Report shifts New Hampshire toward Republican Sununu Live updates: Blanche insists Trump will follow ballot ruling; Kennedy Center ... Kennedy Center board votes to close main building for renovations Load more

document fetched 2026-09-16 02:56 · canonical https://thehill.com/newsletters/technology/6091787-lawmakers-unprepared-to-tackle-ai-safety