Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has released the first congressional draft for a federal artificial intelligence law, moving the debate from White House promises to tangible legislation. The draft aims to translate the executive order signed by President Trump last December into statutory code, with a stated focus on shielding "children, creators, conservatives and communities from harm."

The proposal introduces a legal "duty of care" for AI developers, holding them responsible for preventing foreseeable harm in their platforms' design and operation. It takes a firm stance on a major industry dispute, stating that using copyrighted works to train AI models without permission is not fair use. Other key points mandate protections for minors online, guard against unauthorized digital replicas of a person's likeness, and set federal standards for labeling AI-generated content.

Significantly, the draft seeks to end Section 230 liability protections for AI companies, a move long sought by critics who argue the law shields them from accountability. It also requires regular reports on AI's impact on jobs and includes provisions for third-party audits to prevent political bias in AI systems—a direct response to conservative grievances.

This document is merely an opening bid. The legislative process will involve extensive negotiation, and the final version will likely look different. But after months of discussion, it provides the first concrete text for lawmakers to argue over as they shape the nation's rules for AI.

Source: Engadget