TBD AI Act of 2024
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (16 Dec 2024): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
What this bill does
S. 5539, the "Trustworthy By Design Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024" (TBD AI Act), would establish a process for evaluating artificial intelligence systems before federal agencies deploy them. It directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop, within one year of enactment, guidelines for assessing AI trustworthiness—covering models, training data, post-training modifications, generated content, hardware, human-AI interaction, and risks from AI systems designed to mimic human behavior. The guidelines must address validity, safety, security, resiliency, transparency, explainability, privacy, and fairness, including risks to groups protected under federal anti-discrimination law, and must be updated at least annually.
The bill primarily affects federal agencies and their use of AI in automated decision-making. Existing AI systems used for such purposes would need to be evaluated against the new guidelines within two years or be discontinued; new AI acquisitions would need to meet the guidelines before deployment. Agencies would have to publicly document compliance, explain any noncompliance or delays, and report to Congress. Each agency would also be required to designate a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to oversee AI governance. Certain uses, such as national security assessments or emergency situations, could be exempted at the Director's discretion.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 16, 2024, by Senator Peter Welch, with Senator Ben Ray Luján as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 118th Congress, so it would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to advance further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
16 Dec 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Common questions
- What does S. 5539 do?
- S. 5539, the "Trustworthy By Design Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024" (TBD AI Act), would establish a process for evaluating artificial intelligence systems before federal agencies deploy them. It directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop, within one year of enactment, guidelines for assessing AI trustworthiness—covering models, training data, post-training modifications, generated content, hardware, human-AI interaction, and risks from AI systems designed to mimic human behavior. The guidelines must address validity, safety, security, resiliency, transparency, explainability, privacy, and fairness, including risks to groups protected under federal anti-discrimination law, and must be updated at least annually. The bill primarily affects federal agencies and their use of AI in automated decision-making. Existing AI systems used for such purposes would need to be evaluated against the new guidelines within two years or be discontinued; new AI acquisitions would need to meet the guidelines before deployment. Agencies would have to publicly document compliance, explain any noncompliance or delays, and report to Congress. Each agency would also be required to designate a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to oversee AI governance. Certain uses, such as national security assessments or emergency situations, could be exempted at the Director's discretion. The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 16, 2024, by Senator Peter Welch, with Senator Ben Ray Luján as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 118th Congress, so it would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to advance further.
- Has S. 5539 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5539. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5539?
- S. 5539 was sponsored by Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 5539?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (16 Dec 2024).
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