Schiff calls for comprehensive AI regulation amid national security concerns

Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, has called for a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI, citing national security risks and corporate self-dealing. During an interview, Schiff criticized the Trump administration's non-binding AI safety pact with tech CEOs, arguing it lacks enforceability and fails to address real threats. He highlighted concerns over AI's role in military operations, such as potential involvement in the bombing of an Iranian girls' school, and the administration's attempts to suppress companies like Anthropic that resist AI-driven surveillance. Schiff emphasized the need for transparency, fair use of intellectual property, and antitrust considerations, warning that Congress must act swiftly to avoid repeating past failures in regulating social media. He also questioned the administration's justification for national security measures, noting the lack of concrete evidence to support such claims. Schiff, who chairs key Senate committees on intellectual property, privacy, and antitrust, stressed the importance of balancing innovation with accountability. He pointed to the Supreme Court's recent decision overturning Chevron deference as a potential obstacle to regulatory action, warning that new AI laws could face immediate legal challenges. Despite these hurdles, Schiff remains committed to advancing legislation that addresses both the risks and opportunities posed by AI, arguing that the stakes are too high to delay action.