McCaul, Eshoo, AI Caucus Leaders Introduce Bill to Expand Access to AI Research

U.S. Congressmembers Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) — co-chairs and vice-chairs of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus — introduced the Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act of 2023 (CREATE AI Act). The CREATE AI Act establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), a shared national research infrastructure that provides AI researchers with greater access to the complex resources, data, and tools needed to develop safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence.

Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“To maintain United States leadership over our adversaries in technology, including AI, we must unleash the full potential of American innovation. The legislation will open up resources to allow more great American minds to work together to develop smart, safe, and secure AI,” said Rep. McCaul. “I’m proud to join my AI Caucus colleagues on this bill that will help protect our national security and maintain our nation’s competitive edge.”

“AI offers incredible possibilities for our country, but access to the high-powered computational tools needed to conduct AI research is limited to only a few large technology companies. By establishing the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), my bipartisan CREATE AI Act provides researchers from universities, nonprofits, and government with the powerful tools necessary to develop cutting-edge AI systems that are safe, ethical, transparent, and inclusive. Diversifying and expanding access to AI systems is crucial to maintain American leadership in frontier AI that will bolster our national security, enhance our economic competitiveness, and spur groundbreaking scientific research that benefits the public good,” said Rep. Eshoo.

“This bill would provide a fantastic resource for researchers, educators, and even students like me to learn how to use artificial intelligence and have access to high-quality, well-sourced data. This bill also builds off the National Secure Data Service pilot that I was proud to secure as part of the CHIPS & Science Act, passed last year,” said. Rep Beyer. “I am thrilled to be part of its bipartisan, bicameral introduction, and look forward to seeing the increased access to high-tech resources that the CREATE AI Act will provide.” 

“The best way to enable America to lead the way in the AI revolution is to ensure that both students and entrepreneurs have access to the tools needed to test, develop, and create new AI-backed technologies,” said Rep. Obernolte. "Our CREATE AI Act, and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource it creates, will extend that ability beyond big technology companies, helping America’s small-tech innovators better create technology that improves the lives of all Americans.”

The CREATE AI Act establishes the NAIRR, which has four primary goals:

1. Spur innovation and advance the development of safe, reliable, and trustworthy AI research and development.
2. Improve access to AI resources for researchers and students, including groups typically underrepresented in STEM.
3. Improve capacity for AI research in the United States.
4. Support the testing, benchmarking, and evaluation of AI systems developed and deployed in the United States.

The NAIRR will offer the following to researchers, educators, and students at higher education institutions, non-profits, and federally funded agencies:

1. Computational resources, including an open-source software environment and a programming interface providing structured access to AI models.
2. Data, including curated datasets of user interest and an AI data commons.
3. Educational tools and services, including educational materials, technical training, and user support.
4. AI testbeds, including a catalog of open AI testbeds and a collaborative project with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.