Buckeye Reporter

U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that their Advancing American AI Innovation Act was signed into law as part of the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bipartisan legislation creates a Department of Defense (DoD) pilot program establishing artificial intelligence (AI) data libraries relevant to the development of AI intelligence software and technology, ensuring private companies have access to accurate data so they can better meet DoD needs.

“The United States cannot take its Artificial Intelligence leadership for granted. We must fully utilize the public, as well as private sector, to synchronize and develop our AI capabilities across the transportation, health care, manufacturing, and national security policy spaces,” said Senator Portman. “I am pleased that the Advancing American AI Innovation Act was signed into law as part of the FY 2022 NDAA, as it will assist in facilitating this critical public-private partnership.”

“I’m pleased that our bipartisan legislation that will enable small businesses to develop artificial intelligence software and technology, in partnership with the Department of Defense, was included in the national defense bill,” said Senator Rosen. “The AI field is rapidly evolving and has significant implications for national security. By creating these AI data libraries, we can provide companies tools and information to better develop AI software and technology in line with the needs of the Department of Defense.” 

The Advancing American AI Innovation Act is based on a recommendation from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI). The NSCAI report states, “Highly skilled technologists working in government are regularly denied access to software engineering tools. The digital workforce needs access to enterprise-level software capabilities on par with those found in the private sector. Capabilities include software engineering tools, access to software libraries, vetted open-source support, curated data sets, and infrastructure for large-scale collaboration.”