AI Whistleblower Protection Act

Summary#

This bill, the AI Whistleblower Protection Act, would prohibit employers from retaliating against people who report AI security vulnerabilities or other AI-related legal violations. It covers employees and independent contractors. The bill defines "AI security vulnerability" as a lapse that could let others obtain emerging AI technology by theft or other means. "AI violation" covers breaking federal law in AI work or failing to respond to a clear danger to public safety, public health, or national security. The bill also defines "artificial intelligence" and "artificial system" broadly to include systems that learn, plan, or act with limited human oversight.

The bill says covered individuals may report concerns to the Attorney General, regulatory or law enforcement agencies, Members or committees of Congress, or to supervisors or other employer officials who can address the problem. Employers would be barred from firing, demoting, suspending, threatening, blacklisting, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against someone for making such reports.

What it means for you#

  • If you are an employee or independent contractor who finds an AI security problem or believes there is an AI-related legal violation, you could report it to government authorities, Congress, or your employer without fear of job-based retaliation.
  • Employers must not punish workers for those reports. That includes actions during employment and after employment, and for independent contractor work.
  • If you are an employer, you must avoid retaliatory actions and address reports as required. You may face legal claims if you retaliate.

Expenses#

  • The bill specifies the kinds of monetary relief a prevailing covered individual may receive: reinstatement with the same seniority, twice the back pay owed (with interest), compensatory damages including litigation costs, expert fees, and reasonable attorneys' fees, and any other appropriate remedy.
  • No publicly available information on the bill's broader budget or government cost impact is included in the text provided.

Proponents' View#

The sponsors introduced the bill to prohibit employment discrimination against people who report AI security vulnerabilities or AI violations. The bill’s text focuses on protecting whistleblowers who disclose AI risks to authorities, Congress, or appropriate employer officials and on providing clear legal remedies for victims of retaliation.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.