Heinrich, Portman Launch Bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 13, 2019) – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) announced the formation of the bipartisan Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus.

AI is a transformative technology with implications spanning a number of fields including transportation, health care, agriculture, manufacturing, and national security. The AI Caucus will help connect members and staff with AI experts in private industry, academia, and the executive branch.

“I am proud to announce the formation of the bipartisan AI Caucus in the Senate with Senator Rob Portman,” said Heinrich. “Together, we will work with our colleagues to develop smart policy in a responsible way to ensure the United States remains at the forefront of innovation while maintaining important ethical, safety, and privacy standards. In the years ahead, it will be critical for policymakers to strike the right balance in developing the technology so that academia, private industry, federal agencies, and our national labs can harness the enormous potential of AI to the benefit of society and the American people.”

“AI is likely to be one of the most transformative technologies of all time,” said Portman. “AI is a mix of promise and pitfall, which means, as policymakers, we need to clear-eyed about its potential. I’m pleased to launch the AI Caucus with Senator Heinrich to ensure that Congress is home to the substantive conversations necessary to make responsible policy about emerging technology and ensure AI works for, and not against, American citizens and U.S. competitiveness.”

The Senate AI Caucus complements the American AI Initiative launched recently by the White House which calls upon all federal agencies to prioritize research and development of AI and to build a workforce that is prepared to take on the enormous changes that will come as a result of AI. The AI Caucus will work to develop smart policy that balances AI’s risks and rewards to ensure the competitiveness of the U.S. economy, while maintaining important ethical standards.

Joining Heinrich and Portman on the Senate AI Caucus are U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).