Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today issued the following statement, attributable to TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore, after the release of the Senate AI Roadmap:

“AI has the potential to help us solve the greatest challenges of our time, from health care, agriculture, and education to transportation, energy, and national security, which we highlight in our AI for America initiative. However, recognizing and addressing the genuine risks associated with AI is crucial for its responsible advancement. By addressing these concerns head-on, we can ensure we’re maximizing its benefits for all Americans.

“The U.S. must be the global leader in AI investment, development, and deployment to ensure it is implemented safely across the world. The Senate’s AI Roadmap will strengthen America’s global competitiveness in AI and emerging technologies. By providing robust funding for the U.S. AI Safety Institute, the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR), the Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs program, retrofitting NIST laboratories for the modern era, and other key priorities, Congress will empower a new generation of AI leaders, expand innovation and opportunity beyond Silicon Valley, and keep America at the forefront of scientific development for generations to come.

“The Senate AI Roadmap will bolster our workforce through investments in upskilling and training programs and our ability to attract and retain the world’s best talent, policies TechNet has long championed and that are needed to counter actions being taken by our foreign competitors. It also urges the passage of the CREATE AI Act, which would authorize the NAIRR and lower the barrier to entry for AI research. TechNet has worked with Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) to advocate for the bill’s passage.

“The roadmap acknowledges the importance of implementing AI guardrails to protect our democratic institutions, including preventing political candidates and their agents from using AI to release misleading campaign content. It also recommends policies that further the tech industry’s long-standing partnership with the military to advance U.S. national security objectives.

“We applaud Leader Schumer and Senators Rounds, Heinrich, and Young for their leadership in crafting this roadmap. We look forward to working with Congress to ensure America remains the world’s leader in AI and wins the next era of innovation.”

 

Additional background on TechNet’s recent actions and leadership on AI policy include:

  • On April 10, TechNet held its annual CEO and senior executives lobby day to share our AI policy recommendations with Senators, Representatives, and Biden administration officials leading the development of our nation’s AI policy. TechNet also sponsored a panel discussion with The Hill on the policies needed to advance America’s leadership in AI.
  • TechNet launched “AI for America,” a $25 million initiative to educate the public about how AI is being used to improve lives, grow our economy, and keep us safe.
  • TechNet released a comprehensive federal AI policy framework, which included recommendations for protecting consumers’ personal information, promoting innovation and our global competitiveness, identifying unintended bias and discrimination, and investing in upskilling and workforce training programs.
  • TechNet issued a statement on President Biden’s Executive Order on artificial intelligence.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the FTC on its Proposed Rule on AI and impersonations.
  • TechNet sent a letter to the Senate Rules Committee in advance of its markup of AI election bills.
  • TechNet submitted robust comments to the U.S. Copyright Office on AI and copyright law.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Request for Information (RFI) on the implementation of its responsibilities under the recent Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget on government use of AI.
  • John Doerr, TechNet co-founder and Executive Council member and Chairman of Kleiner Perkins, and Steve Case, TechNet Executive Council member and Chairman and CEO of Revolution, participated in a Senate AI Insight Forum focused on innovation and global competitiveness.
  • TechNet sent a letter to Senate AI leaders on AI and elections.
  • TechNet sponsored an event with The Washington Post to discuss innovative uses of AI, the latest efforts to govern artificial intelligence, and AI’s importance to America’s global competitiveness and national security.
  • TechNet hosted a marquee event on Capitol Hill that brought together over 250 interested parties and 25 expert speakers to discuss the positive impact AI is having and will have on all Americans from every walk of life. Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Google DeepMind Senior Research Director Douglas Eck, Getaround Founder and CEO Sam Zaid, Nasdaq Chief Technology Officer/Chief Information Officer Brad Peterson, and other industry leaders participated. You can watch the event here.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health in advance of its hearing on AI and healthcare.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) urging them to enforce their existing authority on “fraudulent misrepresentation” and bar deliberately misleading campaign communications generated with AI.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy as they were developing their National AI Strategy.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy on automated systems in the workplace.
  • TechNet submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on AI system accountability measures and policies.