Cantwell unveils new AI framework

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, unveiled a framework Wednesday for regulating artificial intelligence amid growing pressure on lawmakers to address the technology’s risks.

Cantwell laid out a set of principles for how Congress and the executive branch should approach AI, arguing that to “manage risks from advanced AI systems we need clear safety standards, continuous testing, and reporting of serious failures.”

“America can lead the world in AI by building systems that are not only more capable, but safer and more secure,” she added in a statement.

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She suggested the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) should be in charge of developing standards to protect against catastrophic harms from AI models, such as AI-enabled cyberattacks, biological and chemical threats or loss of human control.

This has become top of mind for lawmakers, after several AI researchers warned last month that the technology could have dire consequences for humanity. A series of incidents in which AI agents hacked into other companies or acted in unexpected ways has further fueled concerns .

Cantwell also argued that government and independent experts should continually scrutinize and stress test models and that AI firms should be subject to comprehensive audits by independent firms.

Under her framework, developers would be responsible for disclosing safety and security risks and incidents and remain liable for unlawful conduct or harm caused by their AI models.

She also called for the government to work with companies on defensive AI capabilities and urged the U.S. to take on a leadership role in creating common global standards on the technology.

Cantwell could play a crucial role in developing AI rules next year if Democrats take the Senate in the upcoming midterms and she becomes chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over key tech policy issues.