American Leadership in AI Act

Summary#

This bill titled the American Leadership in AI Act would create new federal programs, centers, and rules to guide development, testing, and use of artificial intelligence (AI). It would direct agencies to set voluntary standards and testing for AI safety, establish a Center for AI Standards and Innovation at NIST, expand research and computing resources through a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), fund AI research at multiple agencies (including the Department of Energy and NSF), and support education, workforce programs, and small business resources. The bill also adds new civil remedies for nonconsensual intimate images and "intimate digital forgeries," increases some criminal penalties when crimes use AI, and creates protections for people who report serious AI security problems.

What it means for you#

  • Researchers, students, and eligible U.S. institutions could get access to shared AI computing, data, testbeds, and training through the NAIRR and related pilot programs.
  • Federal agencies would be required to name Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers, set agency AI strategies, and follow NIST-developed standards and testing guidance for non-national-security systems.
  • Small businesses may get voluntary NIST resources and help to adopt AI, and some contracting incentives and tax credits are included for cybersecurity education.
  • Health researchers could apply for NIH grants to study generative AI uses in health care.
  • People harmed by nonconsensual intimate images or realistic AI forgeries would have a federal civil cause of action with specified remedies and time limits.
  • Workers who report AI security vulnerabilities or legal violations related to AI would get anti-retaliation protections.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 for the NIST Center for AI Standards and Innovation.
  • A pilot program to support standards meetings is authorized $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
  • The Department of Energy AI research program is authorized $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
  • The AI Grand Challenges prize program sets minimum prize amounts (not less than $1,000,000 per winner) and requires at least $10,000,000 in cash prizes for an AI cancer grand challenge; it also permits larger prizes, including amounts over $50,000,000 under applicable procedures.
  • The NAIRR may accept donations and in-kind contributions; no total appropriation amount for NAIRR core operations is specified in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.