https://debbiecoffey.substack.com/p/ai-endgame-stop-this-sneaky-federal
Newsletter #34
By Debbie Coffey, AI Endgame
I was shocked to learn that Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, snuck a provision in the House budget bill, in a section titled “Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology Modernization,” that would ban states from enforcing any AI regulations for 10 years.
This is a big deal because there are no federal AI regulations. States haven’t been dragging their heels on AI regulations (like our Congress). States have been rapidly introducing laws regarding improved safety for the design and use of AI technologies. [1]
In other words, if states are banned from regulating AI, there will be NO regulation of AI in the U.S.
Rep. Jan Schakowsy (D-Ill.) said this provision “a giant gift to Big Tech.”
Rep. Guthrie puts the spin on this proposed ban by claiming AI regulations will stifle innovation and undermine the success of entrepreneurs. [2]
The truth is that many AI experts predict within the next few years, we could reach AI superintelligence, the point at which AI will become smarter than humans, and the point at which we could lose control of it.
Winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics, Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI,” warned there is a 10%-20% chance that superintelligent AI could lead to human extinction within the next 30 years. [3]
Hinton said, “These things could get more intelligent than us and could decide to take over, and we need to worry now about how we prevent that happening.” 4]
It’s my opinion that Rep. Guthrie’s provision in the House Budget bill is tantamount to signing a death warrant for your family.
The AI oligarchs already have too much power and influence over our government and our lives. A federal ban on state AI regulations for 10 years would be a “nail in the coffin” for our democracy. Not that this will matter if AI wipes out humanity.
What you can do:
PauseAI is doing excellent work, and I’m sharing their action alert below:
Here are 3 things you can do TODAY, in order of priority:
(5 minutes) Call and email both of your Senators. Tell them you oppose AI preemption, and ask them to raise a point of order that preempting state AI regulation violates the Byrd Rule.
Here’s an example of a call:
“Hello, my name is {YOUR NAME} and I’m a resident of {YOUR STATE}. The newest budget reconciliation bill includes a 10-year ban pre-empting state AI legislation without establishing any federal guardrails. This is extremely concerning to me – leading experts warn us that AI could cause mass harm within the next few years, but this provision would prevent states from protecting their citizens from AI crises for the next decade. It also violates the Byrd Rule, since preempting state AI regulation doesn’t impact federal taxes or spending.
I’d like the Senator to speak out against this provision and raise a point of order that this provision should not be included under the Byrd Rule.”
See here for sample call + email templates.
(10+ minutes) Call and email Senators on the Budget Committee. This committee is front & center of the budget reconciliation bill – they need to hear from us.
Find committee members here. Contact as many as you have time for.
You can contact members even if you’re out-of-state – just tell them you’re a concerned citizen, and you’re reaching out because of their role on the Budget Committee.
Ask them to call a point of order about the Byrd Rule because this proposed ban is not budget-related.
(5 minutes) Call and email Senate leadership with the same message.
John Thune (Majority Leader): (202) 224-2321; Email Form
Chuck Schumer (Minority Leader): (202) 224-6542; Email Form
Lindsey Graham (Budget Committee Chair): (202) 224-5972; Email Form
Mark your calendar to call your Senators every day – don’t let up until this insane provision has been removed.
Together, we can make the world a safer place.
Get involved at pauseai-us.org
Find links to all past AI Endgame newsletters HERE.
[1] https://www.brookings.edu/articles/states-are-legislating-ai-but-a-moratorium-could-stall-their-progress/
[2] https://www.commondreams.org/news/regulating-artificial-intelligence
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/dec/27/godfather-of-ai-raises-odds-of-the-technology-wiping-out-humanity-over-next-30-years
[4] https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-geoffrey-hinton-godfather-of-ai-future-ai/