In a significant move towards regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the government, the Senate has taken initial steps this week. Senators from both parties have indicated their intention to push for amendments to the annual defense policy bill that address the rapidly advancing technology. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has revealed that he is pushing for this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to include a package of several amendments on AI and national security.

One of the proposed measures in the AI amendment is the implementation of a "bug bounty" system. This system would encourage white-hat hackers to assist the Defense Department in identifying vulnerabilities in the AI systems they use. Senator Mike Rounds, who has been working on this idea for over a year, explained that the purpose of the bounty system is to find and address bugs that utilize AI, and to develop alternative methods of protection against them.

The proposed amendment also aims to gain a better understanding of how the Pentagon utilizes AI and how it can defend against AI-generated threats. It includes provisions that enhance the government's knowledge of its current AI capabilities and provide direction to Congress and officials regarding the future of AI. This includes requesting various reports from Pentagon officials and financial regulators.

Senator Rounds emphasized the importance of AI in defending the country and stated that the amendment seeks to identify the current and future usage of AI in each department, as well as their plans and solutions to protect against AI threats. He also mentioned the need to coordinate all the related AI systems that are currently in use or planned for future use.

Schumer has been vocal about his desire for the Senate to learn more about AI and his intention to introduce a broader bill to regulate AI. He expressed his satisfaction with the Senate's initial steps towards addressing the issue and stated that the NDAA presents an opportunity to pass real AI legislation.

The basis for the amendment's proposals came from recommendations in an AI commission report from last year. Rounds emphasized that these measures are not all-inclusive but serve as a simple first step for the Senate. He is considered one of the leading voices on AI in Congress.

AI has been a prominent topic of discussion on Capitol Hill this year, with lawmakers engaging with tech executives to explore the possibility of regulating the technology. Last week, the House of Representatives included an AI provision in the NDAA bill, which requires the Pentagon to study potential weaknesses in the U.S.'s military defenses that could be exploited by AI weaponized by foreign adversaries. Rep. Marc Molinaro, who pushed for this provision, believes that it is necessary to address the vulnerabilities posed by AI due to its evolving capabilities.

Molinaro's provision, which passed easily in the House, requires the Defense Department to identify potential vulnerabilities in the military systems and infrastructure of the United States that could be exploited by adversarial AI applications. This provision has received bipartisan support and is expected to remain in the final bill after negotiations with the Senate.

Molinaro supports the use of AI by the Pentagon but also wants to ensure that the department is not exposed to foreign AI threats. He emphasizes the need for the U.S. to advance itself in effectively protecting the American people and recognizes AI as the next platform of military interaction that can be weaponized.

Molinaro's language in the bill reflects a defensive posture at the Pentagon, alongside provisions that encourage the offensive use of AI. The bill also encourages the Navy to incorporate AI into its logistics plan, the Army to develop autonomous combat vehicles, and the whole department to research how AI can bolster national security. However, Molinaro's provision calls for an examination of where foreign AI systems pose a real national security risk.

While there has been talk of a comprehensive bill to regulate AI, Molinaro believes that smaller, incremental steps may be more effective in addressing the issue. He emphasizes the need to be specific about vulnerabilities and how to react, respond, and protect against them.

In addition to the AI-related amendments, Republicans have proposed over 200 amendments to this year's defense bill. One of these amendments, proposed by Rep. Cory Mills, aims to send F-35 and F-15 fighter jets to Israel as part of the NDAA. Mills argues that supporting Israel's defense capabilities is crucial for U.S. national security interests and regional stability.

The proposed amendment, No. 118, would also require the Defense Department to provide a report to Congress on the progress and delivery schedule of the fighter shipments. Mills is part of an effort by House Republicans to tackle what they perceive as "woke training" in the military and ensure its readiness against adversaries like China.

Mills previously introduced an amendment to eliminate the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, arguing that the focus should be on defending the country rather than engaging in pronoun debates. His amendment comes ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's speech to mark Israel's 75th anniversary, which has drawn criticism from Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Mills believes that continued support for Israel is vital for U.S. interests and that his amendment serves the interests of both countries. He emphasizes the need to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and Israel and reinforce mutual security.

Overall, these proposed amendments reflect the increasing focus on AI and national security on Capitol Hill. As lawmakers continue to navigate the complexities of regulating AI, smaller steps are being taken to address specific issues and vulnerabilities.