The task force, announced this week by House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, will be tasked with producing a comprehensive report for lawmakers that includes guiding principles, forward-looking recommendations and bipartisan policy proposals.
The federal government — more specifically the Department of Homeland Security — has already launched a task force focused on defending critical infrastructure. Similar groups have also taken shape at the local level and in several states, including Alabama, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Wisconsin, to name a few.
Johnson and Jeffries have each appointed 12 members to the group, which will be jointly led by Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) as chair and co-chair respectively.
Obernolte has highlighted the importance of data privacy protection standards as a foundational piece of the AI regulatory puzzle.
“House Republicans and Democrats will work together to create a comprehensive report detailing the regulatory standards and congressional actions needed to both protect consumers and foster continued investment and innovation in AI,” said Obernolte in an announcement.
Lieu has previously underlined the need for Congress to address AI-related risks, having introduced legislation known as the National AI Commission Act last year. Earlier this month, he introduced a bill to study AI applications in health care.
“AI has the capability of changing our lives as we know it,” said Lieu in the announcement. “The question is how to ensure AI benefits society instead of harming us.”
The task force is made up of the following members:
- Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Chair
- Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Co-Chair
- Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)
- Rep. French Hill (R-AR)
- Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX)
- Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL)
- Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA)
- Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL)
- Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL)
- Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA)
- Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO)
- Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL)
- Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA)
- Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
- Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
- Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL)
- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
- Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)
- Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA)
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
- Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI)
- Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)
- Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC)
- Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)
