Beyer Statement on President Biden’s National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves on the House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and as Vice Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, today welcomed President Biden's landmark National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) directing federal agencies to maximize the benefits of cutting-edge AI technology to support national security interests and bolstering American leadership on the global development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.

"President Biden's ambitious NSM on AI builds on previous strategies to galvanize the federal government's adoption of AI, advance U.S. national security interests, and ensure responsible innovation that safeguards against risks while upholding American leadership worldwide," said Rep. Don Beyer. "AI has immense potential, but we need to get this right and we have no time to lose - so I'm glad to see the Executive Branch taking concrete steps to enhance the federal government's approach to AI. The powers of the Executive Branch are limited, however, and in the long term it is critical that Congress pass key legislation, including my and Rep. Eshoo's CREATE AI Act which would codify the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) as a shared national AI research infrastructure, as supported in the NSM. As the artificial intelligence industry advances, Congress cannot afford to be behind the curve. Finally, I am glad to see recognition of risks that accompany certain AI usage and a direction to begin mitigating or addressing those risks-Congress must also legislate strong standards for equity, bias, risk management, and consumer protection."

President Biden's National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) calls for the creation of a Framework to Advance AI Governance and Risk Management in National Security, supports the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) as a shared national AI research infrastructure, designates the AI Safety Institute as the AI industry's primary federal point of contact, prioritizes timely cybersecurity and counterintelligence information to ensure AI developers keep their inventions secure, and supports the development of emerging AI technology by improving the security and diversity of supply chains.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) was appointed to serve on the bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, is Vice Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus and Vice Chair of the New Democrat Coalition's AI Working Group. He is the author of the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act and a lead cosponsor of the CREATE AI Act, and the Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act.

Beyer served for eight years on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. He is currently attending George Mason University as a part time student completing coursework towards the pursuit of a master's degree in machine learning, in part to help inform his work on AI in Congress.