AI Accountability Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (27 Feb 2025): Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
What this bill does
H.R. 1694, the AI Accountability Act, would direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to study accountability measures for artificial intelligence systems. The study would examine how such measures—audits, assessments, or certifications intended to show a system is trustworthy—are used in communications networks and spectrum-sharing applications, how they might help close the digital divide, how they could reduce risks such as cybersecurity threats, and how terms like "trustworthy," "responsible," and "human-centric" are used in AI contexts. The Assistant Secretary would also be required to hold public meetings with stakeholders on what information about AI systems should be made available to the public and how best to share it, and to report findings and recommendations to Congress.
The bill mainly affects a federal official within the Commerce Department, who would take on new study and reporting duties, and indirectly affects stakeholders—industry representatives, academics, and consumer groups—who would be consulted through public meetings. It does not create new regulations, mandates, or penalties for AI developers or users; it focuses on research, public input, and reporting to inform future policy.
The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025, by Rep. Josh Harder with co-sponsor Rep. Robin Kelly, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has not yet been voted on. If enacted, the Assistant Secretary would have 18 months to complete the required studies, hold public meetings, and submit reports to relevant House and Senate committees.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act or the AI Accountability Act
This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to study and report on accountability measures for artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Under the bill, accountability measures are mechanisms designed to assure that a system is trustworthy, including audits, assessments, and certifications.
Specifically, the NTIA must study, solicit stakeholder feedback about, and report to Congress on the incorporation of accountability measures into AI systems used by communications technologies (such as telecommunications networks and social media platforms) and the ways in which AI accountability measures reduce risks related to AI systems (e.g., cybersecurity risks), among other topics.
The NTIA must also solicit stakeholder feedback and report to Congress on (1) information that should be available to individuals, communities, and businesses that interact with, are affected by, or study AI systems; and (2) methods for making that information available.
Timeline
27 Feb 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1694 do?
- H.R. 1694, the AI Accountability Act, would direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to study accountability measures for artificial intelligence systems. The study would examine how such measures—audits, assessments, or certifications intended to show a system is trustworthy—are used in communications networks and spectrum-sharing applications, how they might help close the digital divide, how they could reduce risks such as cybersecurity threats, and how terms like "trustworthy," "responsible," and "human-centric" are used in AI contexts. The Assistant Secretary would also be required to hold public meetings with stakeholders on what information about AI systems should be made available to the public and how best to share it, and to report findings and recommendations to Congress. The bill mainly affects a federal official within the Commerce Department, who would take on new study and reporting duties, and indirectly affects stakeholders—industry representatives, academics, and consumer groups—who would be consulted through public meetings. It does not create new regulations, mandates, or penalties for AI developers or users; it focuses on research, public input, and reporting to inform future policy. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025, by Rep. Josh Harder with co-sponsor Rep. Robin Kelly, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has not yet been voted on. If enacted, the Assistant Secretary would have 18 months to complete the required studies, hold public meetings, and submit reports to relevant House and Senate committees.
- Has H.R. 1694 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 1694. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1694?
- H.R. 1694 was sponsored by Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9] (D-CA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1694?
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (27 Feb 2025).
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AI Accountability Act
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