Blackburn rolls out updated AI plan in bid to lead Trump's agenda
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Cruz and Blackburn during a hearing on Jan. 28. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Wednesday released an updated federal AI policy draft as the White House prepares to unveil its own plan.
Why it matters: Lawmakers on the Hill are vying to shape the Trump administration's AI agenda, and Blackburn is making her case to lead the effort in the Senate.
- Blackburn, who is running for governor in Tennessee, has been circulating ideas from the TRUMP AMERICA AI Act since last year.
Driving the news: Blackburn has been working with the White House on the draft and knows it'll be an ongoing negotiation as the Hill and administration attempt to agree on a plan, a source familiar with the discussions said.
What's inside: The new discussion draft text builds on a summary that Blackburn released last December, as she looks to build support for her proposal.
- It incorporates Blackburn's Kids Online Safety Act and the NO FAKES Act she co-sponsored with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.).
- The draft would impose a "duty of care" that would require AI developers to take reasonable steps to mitigate harms stemming from design features, along with chatbot safety provisions.
- It would also sunset Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act — a step further than the previous version, which called for reforms.
What they're saying: "Congress must answer [Trump's] call to establish one federal rulebook for AI to protect children, creators, conservatives, and communities across the country and ensure America triumphs over foreign adversaries in the global race for AI dominance," Blackburn said in a release.
Blackburn's draft is aimed at protecting what she and some conservatives call the "4 Cs" — children, creators, conservatives and communities.
- Trump's executive order calling for a federal AI policy framework mentions children, censorship, copyrights and communities.
- The draft bill adds provisions to codify Trump's "woke" AI executive order and his ratepayer protection pledge.
Context: Trump's order directs advisers to propose a "uniform" federal framework that would preempt conflicting state AI laws.
What we're watching: Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) has also been working on federal AI legislation in the House.
Friction point: It will be important for Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to get on board with any plan.
- Blackburn's office shared a copy of her draft bill with Cruz before its release, the source familiar said.
- It's not clear where he stands on Blackburn's plan given their previous showdown over Cruz's failed attempt to pass a moratorium on state AI laws.
