Republicans seek new oversight of online speech while boosting AI

Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that could give the federal government a tighter grasp on some tech platforms, while easing up scrutiny on AI.

Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation over the last week that could give the federal government a tighter grasp on some tech platforms, while easing up government scrutiny on artificial intelligence.   

The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee’s budget reconciliation bill was introduced Tuesday and would give the federal government the ability to update IT systems as well as use AI systems at the Commerce Department. The bill would also put a pause on states’ ability to enforce AI regulations for the next decade to allow the American AI market to grow and be studied. 

 While some politicians have been skeptical and critical of AI, the Trump administration has been vocal about seeking to encourage the growth of the AI industry in the U.S. with few guardrails.  

On Friday, to cap off President Donald Trump’s Middle East trip, the administration announced a deal with the United Arab Emirates to build a massive data center in the country that will serve American tech companies. 

While Republicans have worked to protect AI, lawmakers have also introduced bills that would tighten regulations on some tech companies.