SIIA Supports AI Legislation on Incident Reporting and Department of Energy R&D; Praises House Science Committee for Sending Legislation to the Floor

The following statement can be attributed to Paul Lekas, Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy & Government Affairs, Software & Information Industry Association:

SIIA commends the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee for passing out of markup H.R. 9720, the AI Incident Reporting and Security Enhancement Act. This critical legislation, which directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to update the National Vulnerability Database to include vulnerabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) systems, represents an important step forward in bolstering AI security and accountability. Creating a centralized repository will assist actors across the AI value chain in the public and private sectors to address challenges collaboratively, not unlike the information sharing mechanisms created to improve cybersecurity resilience. Additionally, the bill's focus on studying the need for voluntary AI security and safety incident reporting, in coordination with industry, standards development organizations, and federal agencies contributes to strengthening a foundation for responsible AI governance, a priority SIIA strongly supports. By proactively addressing AI vulnerabilities, we can work to ensure that innovation is balanced with the appropriate safeguards to build trust and confidence in these transformative technologies.

We also congratulate the Committee on advancing the Department of Energy (DOE) AI Act of 2024. SIIA has previously endorsed this important legislation as it seeks to advance U.S. leadership in AI by leveraging the unparalleled expertise of DOE's National Laboratories. This bill not only prioritizes critical AI research and development within the energy sector but also fosters long-term strategic planning and interagency collaboration. With its focus on workforce development, STEM education, and critical infrastructure protection, the DOE AI Act is key to maintaining U.S. competitiveness and national security in the AI era.

SIIA looks forward to continued collaboration with Congress as these bills move forward.