Schiff Urges AI Agency With Teeth, Citing Congress’s Social Media Failure
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Oct 5
Schiff Urges AI Agency With Teeth, Citing Congress’s Social Media Failure
2 articles · Updated · The Verge · Oct 5
Summary
Adam Schiff said Congress cannot wait for an AI calamity, arguing the technology’s risks already exceed those posed by social media and require urgent legislation.
The California senator backed creating an AI regulator with real power and expertise, saying Congress moves too slowly while voluntary White House safety pledges from tech CEOs are effectively meaningless.
Schiff said lawmakers should first force transparency on training data and copyrighted material, while also clarifying liability for AI outputs, cyberattacks and other harmful uses.
He warned any new framework will face court challenges after the Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright ruling weakened agency deference, making more specific statutes essential.
Schiff said bipartisan pressure is building around jobs, privacy and data centers, and Democrats would pursue tougher oversight and legislation if they retake Congress.