In a significant push to reshape America's approach to artificial intelligence (AI), Arizona Senator Mark Kelly has put forth an ambitious plan known as AI for America. Axios reports that this proposal takes a definitive turn from previous policies, calling for tech companies to contribute to a trust fund designed to mitigate AI's disruptive effects on jobs and the environment.
Senator Kelly aims to quickly jumpstart mechanisms to deal with the upheaval AI is expected to bring to the job market and beyond. According to Punchbowl News, he believes that major developers and users of AI should contribute to a fund that would support workers prone to displacement, and at the same time, look to bolster energy systems that AI technologies will depend on. According to Kelly's Senate page, "I kind of felt like we were lacking a real plan," in an interview with Punchbowl News, expressing regret that more proactive steps hadn't been taken sooner.
Puck News elaborates on Kelly's vision, which includes educating future generations about AI, with an emphasis on K-12 students, and crafting guidelines, in consultation with labor union leaders, that outline AI's role in the workplace. The senator is banking on AI companies to fuel the fund, despite many firms, except for a few like Nvidia, having yet to see significant returns from AI ventures.
Senator Kelly’s "AI Horizon Fund" concept has garnered support from various sectors, including labor unions like the Teamsters, who underscored the importance of organized labor having a seat at the table to ensure AI is implemented responsibly. Furthermore, former President Barack Obama lauded the ideas outlined by Kelly on harnessing AI's potential, as noted on his social media platform, according to Kelly's Senate page.
Huffington Post has drawn attention to the growing acknowledgement among Democrats of AI’s challenges, indicating a political shift is underway concerning this pressing tech issue. According to Kelly's Senate page, Kelly's white paper serves as a basis for dialogue around potential remedies, such as fees or taxes on AI companies that could finance the "AI Horizon Fund," which would operate independently of Congress's usual appropriations cycle.
The Arizona Republic cites Kelly’s call for a new tax on AI companies' revenues to safeguard American jobs. He asserts, "As a nation, we must seize this moment to build an AI boom for all, not another tech bubble for the few." The state's Governor Katie Hobbs echoed these sentiments, stressing preparation for the impending changes that AI will bring. Meanwhile, experts like MIT Professor Daron Acemoglu point to the report as a positive step towards more rigorous oversight of AI’s trajectory in America, as per Kelly's Senate page.
Read the full policy roadmap and explore various insights into Senator Kelly's AI for America initiative on his official Senate page at Kelly's Senate page.
