Sec. 134. National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Initiative

4,560 words·~21 min read·/bill/116/s/4629/is/section-134

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

It is the sense of Congress that— there is a need for a National Artificial Research and Development Intelligence Initiative, including a comprehensive strategy for and coordination across agencies on research and development on artificial intelligence; there are currently several interagency committees working on related tasks with respect to artificial intelligence; the reporting structure of such committees could be simplified to address efficiently the goals of the Initiative; and it is useful to accelerate in the United States, research on artificial intelligence that increases innovation while also promoting privacy and accountability.

The term artificial intelligence includes the following: An artificial system that performs tasks under varying and unpredictable circumstances without significant human oversight, or that can learn from experience and improve performance when exposed to data sets. An artificial system developed in computer software, physical hardware, or other context that solves tasks requiring human-like perception, cognition, planning, learning, communication, or physical action. An artificial system designed to think or act like a human, including cognitive architectures and neural networks.

A set of techniques, including machine learning, that is designed to approximate a cognitive task. An artificial system designed to act rationally, including an intelligent software agent or embodied robot that achieves goals using perception, planning, reasoning, learning, communicating, decision making, and acting. The term artificial intelligence industry means entities in industries relevant to artificial intelligence. The term emerging research institution means an institution of higher education that— receives less than $20,000,000 in Federal research funding annually; and may grant a doctoral degree.

The term Initiative means the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Initiative established pursuant to subsection (c). The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ). The term K–12 education means elementary school and secondary education, as such terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 ). The term machine learning means a subfield of artificial intelligence that is characterized by giving computers the autonomous ability to progressively optimize performance of a specific task based on data without being explicitly programmed.

The term minority-serving institution means any of the following: A Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in section 502(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a) )). A Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059c(b) )). An Alaska Native-serving institution (as defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059d(b) )). A Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059d(b) )).

A Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in section 318(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059e(b) )). A Native American-serving nontribal institution (as defined in section 319(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059f(b) )). An Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 320(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059g(b) )). The President shall establish and implement an initiative with respect to artificial intelligence to be known as the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Initiative .

In carrying out the Initiative, the President shall, acting through appropriate Federal entities, including the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program— establish objectives, priorities, and metrics for strategic plans under subsection (e)(4) to accelerate development of science and technology applications for artificial intelligence in the United States; invest in research, development, demonstration, application to analysis and modeling, and other activities with respect to science and technology in artificial intelligence; support the development of a workforce pipeline for science and technology with respect to artificial intelligence by making strategic investments to— expand the number of researchers, educators, and students with training in science and technology in artificial intelligence; increase the number of skilled and trained workers from underrepresented communities who can contribute to the development of artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence technology, diversify the artificial intelligence workforce, and expand the artificial intelligence workforce pipeline; promote the development and inclusion of multidisciplinary curricula and research opportunities for science and engineering with respect to artificial intelligence, including advanced technological education, during the primary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, adult learning, and career retraining stages of education; and equip workers with the knowledge and skill sets required to operate effectively in occupations and workplaces that will be increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence; facilitate coordination of efforts and collaboration with respect to research and development of artificial intelligence among government agencies, Federal and national laboratories, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and industry; leverage existing Federal research investments, and partner with industry and institutions of higher education to leverage knowledge and resources, to advance objectives and priorities of the Initiative; strengthen research, development, demonstration, and applications in science and technology with respect to artificial intelligence by— addressing gaps in basic research knowledge with respect to artificial intelligence through research; promoting the further development of facilities and centers available for research, testing, and education in science and technology with respect to artificial intelligence; stimulating research on, and promoting more rapid development and commercialization of, artificial intelligence-based technologies; promoting research into the effects of artificial intelligence and applications of artificial intelligence on society, the workforce and workplace, and individuals, including those from underrepresented communities; promoting data and model sharing among the Federal government, academic researchers, the private sector, and other practitioners of artificial intelligence; identifying and minimizing inappropriate bias in data sets, algorithms, and other aspects of artificial intelligence; and supporting efforts to create metrics to assess safety, security, and reliability of applications of science and technology with respect to artificial intelligence; and ensure that research, development, demonstration, and applications efforts with respect to artificial intelligence create measurable benefits for all individuals in the United States, including members of disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Commerce, the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, establish or designate, and appoint a director of, an office to be known as the National Artificial Intelligence Coordination Office (in this subsection referred to as the Office ).

The Office shall— serve as the point of contact on Federal artificial intelligence activities for government organizations, academia, industry, professional societies, State artificial intelligence programs, interested citizen groups, and others to exchange technical and programmatic information; conduct public outreach, including dissemination of findings and recommendations of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee established under subsection (f), as appropriate; and promote access to and development of early applications of the technologies, innovations, and expertise that benefit the public derived from Initiative activities to agency missions and systems across the Federal Government, and to United States industry, including startup companies.

The funding of the Office shall be derived from amounts available to the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and such other departments or agencies of the Federal Government as the President considers appropriate. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on funding for the Office.

The report shall include— the amount of funding required to adequately fund the Office; the adequacy of existing mechanisms to fund the Office; and the actions taken to ensure stable funding for the Office. The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall establish or designate an interagency committee to be known as the Interagency Committee on Artificial Intelligence (in this subsection referred to as the Interagency Committee ). The Interagency Committee shall be composed of representatives from the following, as detailed to the Interagency Committee by the head of the agency concerned:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology. The National Science Foundation. The Department of Energy. The Department of Justice. The Federal Trade Commission. The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Department of Defense. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Office of Management and Budget. The Office of Science and Technology Policy. The National Institutes of Health. Any other Federal agency the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy considers appropriate.

The Interagency Committee shall be co-chaired by the following: The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The Secretary of Energy. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Director of the National Science Foundation. The Interagency Committee shall— coordinate and make recommendations for activities and programs of Federal agencies on research and education with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence technology; establish objectives and priorities for the Initiative, consistent with the objectives and purposes specified in subsection (c), based on identified knowledge and workforce gaps and other national needs; assess and recommend Federal infrastructure needs to support the Initiative; and evaluate opportunities for international cooperation with strategic allies on research and development with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence technology.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Interagency Committee shall develop a 5-year strategic plan, and not later than 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Interagency Committee shall develop an additional 5-year strategic plan, with respect to the activities of the Initiative, including activities and mechanisms to meet Initiative goals and priorities, and to anticipate outcomes at participating agencies. The Interagency Committee may from time to time update any strategic plan under subparagraph (A), as the Interagency Committee considers appropriate.

In carrying out this paragraph, the Interagency Committee shall take into account reports and recommendations of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee under subsection (f). The Director of the National Science Foundation shall, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, establish or designate an advisory committee to be known as the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (in this subsection referred to as the Advisory Committee ).

Members of the Advisory Committees shall be appointed by the Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and after public input, from among individuals who are qualified to provide advice and information on research, development, demonstrations, education, infrastructure, technology transfer, commercial applications, and concerns of a national security, social, or economic nature with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence technology.

In making such appointments, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall seek to appoint individuals who, collectively, have expertise on a wide range of defense and non-defense artificial intelligence matters. Not more than half of the members of the Advisory Committee may be representatives of the artificial intelligence industry. The Advisory Committee shall advise the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Interagency Committee on Artificial Intelligence under subsection

(e)on matters relating to the Initiative. Such advice shall be based on periodic assessments by the Advisory Committee of the following: Trends and developments in artificial intelligence, including current and near-future states of artificial intelligence systems and forecasting. Progress made in implementing the Initiative. The need to revise the Initiative. Balance among the components of the Initiative, including funding levels for component areas of the Initiative. Whether the component areas, priorities, and technical goals of the Initiative are helping the United States maintain leadership in artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence technology that also maintains privacy and accountability. Management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the Initiative. Whether societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce concerns with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence technology are adequately addressed by the Initiative. Not later than 4 years after the date of the most recent assessment under paragraph (3), and quadrennially thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the following: The most recent assessment of the Advisory Committee under paragraph (3). Any current recommendations of the Advisory Committee regarding improvements to the Initiative. Any member of the Advisory Committee who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government, while attending meetings of the Advisory Committee or while otherwise serving at the request of the head of the Advisory Committee away from their homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals in the government serving without pay. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit members of the Advisory Committee who are officers or employees of the United States from being allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with existing law. The Advisory Committee shall terminate on December 31, 2025. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Artificial Intelligence Coordination Office under subsection

(d)shall seek to enter into a contract with a federally funded research and development center or nongovernment research organization for a study on the mechanisms that produce or contribute to the workforce in artificial intelligence (including researchers and specialists in artificial intelligence and users of artificial intelligence) in order to identify and develop actions to ensure an appropriate increase in the size, quality, and diversity of the workforce. The contract referred to in paragraph

(1)shall require the federally funded research and development center entering into the contract to do the following: Collaborate with the Secretary of Commerce, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, and the Director of the Census in developing a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the workforce needs of and employment opportunities in the artificial intelligence field, by State and by region. Collaborate in carrying out the study with educational institutions, State and local workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, apprenticeship programs, industry, and other entities in the artificial intelligence field. Collaborate with minority-serving institutions in order to facilitate the sharing of best practices and approaches for increasing and retaining underrepresented populations in the artificial intelligence field. Facilitate the sharing of best practices and approaches for the development and sustainment of the workforce in artificial intelligence that are identified or developed through the study among— entities in the artificial intelligence field, State and local workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs that provide training programs for employment in the artificial intelligence field; and educational institutions that seek to establish such training programs. Each year while the contract referred to in paragraph

(1)is in force, the Secretary of Labor shall, using information derived from the study described in that paragraph and other appropriate information, issue to the public a report on job creation in the artificial intelligence field during the preceding year. As part of the Initiative, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall— support the development of measurements and standards necessary to advance commercial and governmental development of artificial intelligence applications, including by— developing measurements and standards; supporting efforts to develop measurements and consensus standards by standards development organizations; and modernizing the mechanisms used for benchmarking artificial intelligence technologies; establish and support collaborative ventures or consortia with public or private sector entities, including institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, and the artificial intelligence industry, for the purpose of advancing fundamental and applied research and development on artificial intelligence; and modernize the mechanisms used for benchmarking artificial intelligence technologies. The Director shall conduct outreach— to receive input from stakeholders on the development of a plan to address future measurements and standards related to artificial intelligence; and to provide an opportunity for public comment on any such measurements or standards. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and a periodic basis thereafter as the Director considers appropriate, the Director shall convene 1 or more meetings of stakeholders, including technical expert representatives from government organizations, the artificial intelligence industry, and institutions of higher education, to discuss topics described in clause (ii). Meetings under clause

(i)may cover topics that the Director considers important to the development of standards and measurements with respect to artificial intelligence, including— cybersecurity; algorithm accountability; algorithm explainability; algorithm trustworthiness; a common lexicon for artificial intelligence; and resources and methods for benchmarking artificial intelligence technologies. The purposes of meetings under this subparagraph shall be— to assess contemporary research on the topics identified by the Director for purposes of clause (ii); to evaluate research gaps relating to such topics; to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to provide recommendations on the research to be addressed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Initiative; and to coordinate engagement with international standards bodies in order to ensure United States leadership in the development of global technical standards, including with respect to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report summarizing the results of outreach and meetings conducted under this subsection. There are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, $80,000,000 to carry out this subsection. As part of the Initiative, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall establish and implement a research and education program on artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence engineering. In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the Director shall— continue to support interdisciplinary research on, and human resources development in, all aspects of science and engineering with respect to artificial intelligence, including— algorithm accountability; minimization of inappropriate bias in training data sets or algorithmic feature selection; qualitative and quantitative forecasting of future capabilities and applications; and societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence; use existing authorities and programs and collaborate with other Federal agencies— to improve teaching and learning in science and engineering with respect to artificial intelligence during the primary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, adult learning, and career retraining stages of education; to increase participation in artificial intelligence fields, including by individuals identified in sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1885a , 1885b); to formulate goals for education activities in engineering and research with respect to artificial intelligence to be supported by the National Science Foundation related to topics important to the Initiative, including— algorithm accountability; algorithm explainability; algorithm trustworthiness; algorithmic forecasting; consumer data privacy; assessment and minimization of inappropriate bias in training data and output; and societal and ethical implications of the use of artificial intelligence; to engage with institutions of higher education, research communities, potential users of information produced under this subsection, entities in the private sector, and non-Federal entities— to leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing research and education activities with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence engineering; and to support partnerships among institutions of higher education and industry that facilitate collaborative research, personnel exchanges, and workforce development with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence engineering; to coordinate research efforts with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence engineering funded through existing programs across the directorates of the National Science Foundation; to ensure adequate access to research and education infrastructure with respect to artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence engineering, including through development of hardware and facilitation of the use of computing resources, including cloud-based computing services; and to increase participation rates in research and education on artificial intelligence among underrepresented communities by engaging with minority-serving institutions. In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the Director may provide traineeships to graduate students at institutions of higher education who— are United States nationals or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; and choose to pursue masters or doctoral degrees in artificial intelligence or artificial intelligence engineering. The Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall award grants to eligible entities to establish up to 10 research and education centers (each referred to in this subsection as a Center ) to conduct research and education activities in support of the Initiative. Each Center established pursuant to such a grant shall be known as a Multidisciplinary Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education . For purposes of this subsection, an eligible entity is any entity as follows: An institution of higher education. A relevant nonprofit organization. A consortium of entities that consists of— two or more entities specified in subparagraphs

(A)through (C); or at least one entity specified in such paragraphs and a relevant private sector organization that is not a nonprofit organization. Not less than 1 grant under this subsection shall be for a Center with the primary purpose of conducting research on how best to integrate artificial intelligence into K–12 education. Not less than 1 grant under this subsection shall be for a Center located at a minority-serving institution. An eligible entity seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. The application shall include— a plan for the proposed Center— to work with other research institutions, emerging research institutions, and the artificial intelligence industry to leverage expertise in artificial intelligence, education and curricula development, and technology transfer; to promote active collaboration among researchers in multiple disciplines and across multiple institutions involved in artificial intelligence research including physics, engineering, mathematical sciences, computer and information science, biological and cognitive sciences, material science, education, and social and behavioral sciences (such as industrial-organizational psychology); to integrate into the activities of such Center consideration of the ethics of development, technology usage, and data collection, storage, and sharing (including training data sets) in connection with artificial intelligence; to support long-term and short-term workforce development in artificial intelligence, including broadening participation of underrepresented communities; and to support an innovation ecosystem to work with industry to translate research of such Center into applications and products; and a description of the anticipated long-term impact of such Center beyond the termination of support under this subsection. A Center established using a grant under this subsection may receive funding under this subsection for a period of 5 years. Such a Center may apply for, and the Director may grant, an extension of a grant under this subsection for an additional 5-year period. The Director may terminate for cause funding under this subsection for a Center that underperforms. The amount provided during each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 for a Center established pursuant to this subsection through a grant under this subsection shall be $40,000,000. As a part of the Initiative, the Secretary of Energy shall carry out a research and development program on artificial intelligence. In carrying out the program required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— formulate objectives for research on artificial intelligence to be supported by the Department of Energy that are consistent with the Initiative; leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing research on artificial intelligence; coordinate research efforts on artificial intelligence that are funded through existing programs across the Department; engage with other Federal agencies, research communities, and potential users of information produced under this subsection; build, maintain, and, to the extent practicable, make available for use by academic, government, and private sector researchers the computing hardware and software necessary to carry out the program; and establish and maintain on an internet website of the Department available to the public a resource center that— provides current information and resources on training programs for employment in artificial intelligence; and otherwise serves as a resource for educational institutions, State and local workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, and apprenticeship programs seeking to develop and implement training programs for employment in artificial intelligence. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to establish and operate up to 10 artificial intelligence research centers (each referred to in this paragraph as a Center ) for the purposes described in subparagraph (C). For purposes of this paragraph, an eligible entity is any entity as follows: An institution of higher education. A relevant nonprofit organization. A State or local government. A National Laboratory or a federally funded research and development center. A consortium of entities that consists of— two or more entities specified in subclauses

(I)through (IV); or at least one entity specified in such subclauses and a relevant private sector organization that is not a nonprofit organization. Except as provided in clause (iii), grants under this paragraph shall be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process. At least 1 grant under this paragraph shall be awarded to a national security laboratory of the National Nuclear Security Administration. The purposes of the Centers established under this paragraph are— to serve the needs of the Department and such academic, educational, and private sector entities as the Secretary considers appropriate; to advance research and education in artificial intelligence and facilitate improvement in the competitiveness of the United States; to provide access to computing resources to promote scientific progress and enable users from institutions of higher education, other educational institutions, the National Laboratories, and the artificial intelligence industry— to make scientific discoveries relevant to research in artificial intelligence; to conduct research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in science and technology with respect to artificial intelligence; to support research conducted under this paragraph; and to increase the distribution of research infrastructure and broaden the spectrum of students exposed to research in artificial intelligence at institutions of higher education (including emerging research institutions); and to ensure that artificial intelligence techniques and their applications serve the social and national interest, especially with regards to maintaining privacy and accountability. The Secretary shall ensure the coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the activities of each Center under this paragraph with the activities of— other research entities of the Department, including the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, the Energy Frontier Research Centers, and the Energy Innovation Hubs; and the artificial intelligence industry. Any Center selected and established pursuant to this paragraph is authorized to carry out activities for a period of 5 years. Such a Center may apply for, and the Director may grant, an extension of a grant under this paragraph for an additional 5-year period. Consistent with existing authorities of the Department, the Secretary may terminate for cause a Center that underperforms during the performance period. There are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 for the Department of Energy, such sums as may be necessary such that $40,000,000 is available for each Center established pursuant to this paragraph during such fiscal year.

Connectionstraces to 9

Traces to 9 documents

U.S. Code