CNN’s Manu Raju asks lawmakers if they feel a sense of responsibility...

The story

Republicans involved in artificial intelligence policy warn that Congress is failing to address the issue due to a lack of expertise and urgency. Despite the creation of a bipartisan task force, legislative recommendations remain stalled on Capitol Hill.

Some Republican lawmakers engaged in AI policy say Congress has taken no meaningful action on artificial intelligence because most members are ill-informed on the topic. Lawmakers have openly questioned whether Capitol Hill is equipped to regulate the emerging technology, noting that without a dedicated committee, members are unable to develop the necessary expertise to craft effective bills.

In 2024, House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries convened a bipartisan task force to establish formal recommendations for dealing with AI. Those proposals, however, are currently collecting dust. The chairman of the task force stated that while some action has occurred in the House, it is not moving fast enough, explaining that the wheels of progress turn slowly in Congress and members are working as quickly as they can.

Other Republicans have called on congressional leaders to make AI policy an urgent priority, even while warning against knee-jerk over-regulation. One lawmaker cautioned that artificial intelligence is fundamentally math and that making math illegal would be nonsense. Despite differing views on regulation, lawmakers familiar with the process agree that Congress is failing to keep pace, describing legislative progress as moving at a glacier's pace.