Bipartisan bill would make critical AI resources available to startups and researchers

The CREATE AI Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at establishing a national AI research resource, faces a critical juncture as the 118th Congress nears its end, with significant implications for the future of AI research and development in the United States.

Current status and momentum: The CREATE AI Act has advanced through committees in both chambers of Congress and now awaits floor consideration during the lame duck session.

• The bill has versions in both the House of Representatives and Senate, with strong bipartisan support
• To pass, the legislation needs to be attached to other must-pass bills during the current session
• 77 leaders from academia, industry, and society have signed an open letter supporting the bill’s passage

Key provisions and objectives: The proposed legislation would create a national AI research resource providing crucial compute power and datasets to diverse stakeholders.

• Academic researchers, nonprofits, and startups would gain access to essential AI development resources
• The initiative aims to diversify AI development beyond large technology companies
• The focus extends beyond profit-driven research to include societal benefits in healthcare, robotics, and energy

Strategic implications: The bill’s passage holds significant importance for maintaining U.S. leadership in AI technology and research.

• China and other countries are making rapid advances in AI applications, particularly in robotics
• The legislation would help ensure U.S. competitiveness in AI development across multiple sectors
• Delayed passage could impact national security and technological advancement objectives

Implementation challenges: If the bill fails to pass during the current session, several obstacles could impact its future.

• Key congressional champions of the bill will not be present in the 119th Congress
• New authors would need to be identified and the legislative process would restart
• The timeline for establishing the national AI research resource would be significantly extended

Political considerations: Previous administration history suggests potential bipartisan support for the initiative.

• The first Trump administration demonstrated engagement with AI policy
• Previous signals indicated support for a national AI research resource concept
• Technical policy areas of government have shown openness to such initiatives

Looking ahead: The urgency surrounding AI development and its broad implications for society make the CREATE AI Act a pivotal piece of legislation that could shape the future of AI research and development in the United States, though its passage remains uncertain in the current political climate.