Maria Cantwell

As the top Senate Commerce Democrat, Cantwell holds extensive congressional oversight and legislative jurisdiction over federal AI policy.

“To manage risks from advanced AI systems we need clear safety standards, continuous testing, and reporting of serious failures,” she said in a statement. “America can lead the world in AI by building systems that are not only more capable, but safer and more secure.”

Cantwell says federal AI safety standards should be established by experts at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in coordination with other federal agencies. She also recommends that frontier models not be released until they have been rigorously tested in an independent audit.

Under the comprehensive framework, NIST would be tasked with developing risk-based standards for AI systems that could pose catastrophic harm. Such risks include AI-enabled cyberattacks, biological or nuclear threats, potential for loss of human control, and rogue agents escaping secure testing environments.

There would also be specialized standards for open-source AI models to reduce the risks of misuse while providing developers with guidance to accelerate U.S. leadership on AI. Additionally, whistleblower protections are in place in case any employee or contractor reports safety concerns regarding the technology.

One of the most notable aspects of the framework is that the U.S. should establish a secure channel with China to address significant AI incidents that could threaten either country or international security more broadly. Both nations are competing in the AI race.

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Cantwell, one of many Democrats pursuing stronger AI regulations, says she has promoted these basic principles for years. But her framework is only gaining traction now amid growing calls from AI leaders to regulate their own products.