Spanberger and Nunn present a bipartisan bill to protect against controversial use of artificial intelligence

The bipartisan AI PLAN Act would require the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security to develop a national strategy to address the risks posed by AI-generated misinformation, fraud, and financial crime

WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) from being used to threaten the American economy and national security.

Foreign adversaries of the US benefit from advances in AI. State-backed hackers from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran have used tools from Microsoft-backed OpenAI to refine their hacking campaigns and breach their targets, according to a report released by Microsoft last month. Adversaries could be able to force Americans to hand over their data, disrupt financial markets and raise false flags that trigger a defense response.

The AI ​​PLAN (Artificial Intelligence Practices, Logistics, Actions, and Necessities) Act, spearheaded by Spanberger, would require the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security to develop a national strategy to address the economic and national security threats posed by AI. generated misinformation, fraud and financial crimes – including deep fakes, vote cloning, foreign election interference, synthetic identities and false signals that disrupt market operations. Additionally, the legislation would require these agencies to identify existing enforcement measures to defend against hostile use of AI.

“State-backed hackers and fraudsters – with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, North Korea, Iran and Russia – are already using artificial intelligence to generate misinformation, commit fraud and commit financial crimes. As our adversaries continue to invest in and advance AI, Congress must quickly close the gaps in our defenses against hostile use of AI.” Spanberger said. “We must protect American companies, people, financial markets and supply chains from foreign influence. I am proud to join with Congressman Nunn in taking real steps to strengthen our nation’s defenses against economic and national security threats posed by the malicious use of this technology.”

“Artificial intelligence is an emerging technology that has created new opportunities and technological advances to advance our society. There is also a great risk that our adversaries – such as the Chinese Communist Party, North Korea, Russia and Iran – will use it to generate misinformation, commit fraud and commit crimes.” Nunn said. “Our adversaries will continue to invest in AI technology, so America must develop a plan now to strengthen our defenses and thwart their attacks to protect American businesses, markets and families.”

Specifically, the bipartisan AI PLAN Act directs the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security to:

• Submit a report to Congress identifying existing enforcement measures to protect U.S. citizens, U.S. financial markets, U.S. companies, and global supply chains from the national and economic security risks posed by the controversial use of AI;

• Providing forward-looking legislative recommendations to address and mitigate the controversial use of AI;

• Issue best practices to help American businesses and government agencies mitigate risk and respond to incidents.

Click here for the full text of the bill.

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