Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Lawmakers unveiled the annual defense policy bill on Saturday, with few AI provisions added to the must-pass package.
Why it matters: The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the last pieces of legislation that will advance this year.
- Some lawmakers had sought to add AI and other emerging tech measures to the sprawling bill, but few made it into the final negotiated text.
- The lame-duck deal to add an AI package to must-pass legislation that House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had been working on didn't materialize.
What's inside: The tech provisions that made it in the must-pass legislation include:
- Up to $500 million in federal investments would be authorized to preserve and expand the Regional Tech Hubs program.
- Over $3 billion would be authorized to rip-and-replace Chinese-owned telecommunication equipment from U.S. networks.
- Requiring a pilot program on using AI-enabled software for DOD shipyards, depots and manufacturing facilities, and other pilots on emerging tech and AI and biotech applications for national security.
- Establishing an Artificial Intelligence Security Center within the National Security Agency.
But plenty of key bills lawmakers were pushing for didn't hitch a ride, such as legislation to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act and to authorize the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource.
- The NDAA also doesn't contain language to restrict outbound investment, but the text does state that DOD shall submit a plan to Congress for outbound investment monitoring and the Intelligence Community will issue a report to key committees on China's plans to evade export controls.
What's next: The House is expected to vote on the NDAA this upcoming week, and the legislation is on the Rules Committee agenda on Monday.
- And we'll be back in your inbox with more on the NDAA and tech this week.
