Over 100 Groups Join Forces Against House AI Moratorium After NYS Senate Opposition

Over 100 institutions, unions, and groups ranging from technology employees to educators have endorsed a letter opposing part of the congressional reconciliation package. This section imposes a decadelong ban on states’ authority to implement AI regulations.

CBS6 reported last week that over 50 senators from New York State Additionally, they affixed their signatures to a letter concerning this proposition. The most recent correspondence, penned by the non-profit organization Demand Progress, states in part that should this be implemented, over the coming ten years, major technology corporations would have the ability to develop potentially damaging artificial intelligence technologies without facing accountability.

The query is whether we, as citizens, via the voices of our chosen officials at both state and federal levels, will have a say in shaping AI legislation, or if such decisions will solely rest with industries and financial interests. In my view, public participation is essential for ensuring that this technology evolves in ways that benefit society rather than causing potential harm. This was stated by Emily Peterson-Cassin, who serves as the Corporate Power Director at Demand Progress.

You can read the letter, which bears signatures from organizations such as the Alphabet Workers Union, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, Mozilla, and the American Federation of Teachers. here.

Republican members of the House contend that as various states implement regulations or safeguards, tackling artificial intelligence at a federal level is getting increasingly challenging.

The legislation in the reconciliation package reads:

PART 2—MODERNIZING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Section 43201. Initiative for Modernizing Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology. Under subsection (a), $500,000,000 would be allocated to the Department of Commerce for fiscal year 2025. These funds will stay available until September 30, 2035, with the aim of upgrading and safeguarding federal information technology systems via the implementation of advanced commercial AI, automation tools, and replacing outdated operational frameworks.

Section (b) specifies that the Secretary of Commerce should utilize this funding to replace and update outdated business systems with advanced commercial AI technologies and automated decision-making tools. The aim is also to implement AI models designed for enhanced operational effectiveness and improved service provision, as well as bolstering federal IT system security via updated architectural designs, automatic threat identification, and comprehensive AI-driven safeguards.

Section (c) indicates that neither a state nor any local government can implement any laws or regulations governing artificial intelligence models, AI systems, or automated decision-making systems throughout the decade starting from the day this legislation is enacted.

Section (d) offers definitions for important terminology utilized within the Act, such as "artificial intelligence," "artificial intelligence model," "artificial intelligence system," and "automated decision system."

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