The Senate has initiated efforts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) within the government. Senators on both sides of the aisle are backing amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to establish safeguards for this rapidly evolving technology. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is championing a package of amendments within the NDAA that address AI and national security concerns.

One key proposal is a "bug bounty" program, spearheaded by Sen. Mike Rounds, designed to incentivize ethical hackers to identify vulnerabilities in the Department of Defense's AI systems. Rounds emphasized the importance of finding and mitigating AI-related vulnerabilities. The amendment also aims to gain a deeper understanding of the Pentagon's AI usage and defensive strategies against AI-driven threats. This involves enhancing government awareness of current AI capabilities and providing guidance for future development through reports from Pentagon officials and financial regulators.

Further provisions focus on assessing how the Pentagon employs AI and defends against AI-generated risks. The amendment seeks to clarify the government's current AI capabilities and provide Congress and officials with a roadmap for future development by requiring reports from Pentagon officials and financial regulators. Rounds stressed the importance of understanding departmental AI usage, future plans, and protective measures against adversarial AI deployment. He also highlighted the need for a long-term strategy for data collection and coordination of AI systems, along with the development of personnel with AI expertise.

Schumer has long advocated for increased Senate understanding of AI and signaled a forthcoming broader regulatory bill following further discussions in the fall. He commended this initial step as significant progress. Rounds described the amendment's proposals as originating from recommendations in a previous AI commission report, representing a preliminary move for the Senate. Schumer, along with Rounds and other senators, introduced this AI amendment to be included in the NDAA.

AI has become a significant topic on Capitol Hill, with tech executives engaging with lawmakers in discussions about regulating the technology. The House of Representatives recently passed its version of the NDAA, including an AI provision mandating a Pentagon study into potential vulnerabilities in U.S. military defenses exploitable by AI weaponized by adversaries. Other provisions encourage the Defense Department to explore how AI can enhance U.S. national security.