A bipartisan group of senators, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, has proposed a significant investment of at least $32 billion over three years to drive artificial intelligence (AI) development and establish crucial safety measures. This move marks a notable effort by the US government to regulate and promote AI growth, acknowledging the need to stay competitive with global rivals and enhance Americans' quality of life.

The proposal comes on the heels of a bipartisan bill aimed at enabling the Biden administration to impose export controls on cutting-edge AI models developed in the US. Following extensive consultations with industry experts and AI critics, the working group recognized the importance of AI investments in areas like cancer treatment and chronic disease management.

The proposed roadmap, while not a concrete bill or policy, offers a glimpse into the scope and scale of future AI legislation. It calls for new transparency requirements for AI products and workforce impact studies, demonstrating a commitment to responsible AI development. The US is under pressure to catch up with global leaders like the European Union, which has established comprehensive AI regulations across its 27 member countries.

Experts note that the US lags behind in AI regulation, and this proposal marks a crucial step towards bridging the gap. The EU's landmark legislation, enacted in March, set safeguards for general-purpose AI, limited law enforcement's use of biometric identification, banned online social scoring and AI manipulation, and granted consumers the right to seek explanations from AI providers. The US must now follow suit to ensure responsible AI growth and maintain global competitiveness.