Senate votes against curbing state-level AI regulation

Yesterday, the senate was poised to restrict states’ power to regulate AI. Now, the measure is dead in the water, with the Senate voting 99-1 to remove the provision. Are you also having a bit of whiplash? Here’s what you need to know about the amendments rightful journey into the trash can of history. 

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) had pushed for an amendment to Trump’s tax bill that would ban states from regulating the AI industry for ten years — if the state took AI infrastructure funding included in the aforementioned bill. A version of the provision passed the House in May. 

On Sunday, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) agreed to a version which would reduce the moratorium to five years and include exceptions for regulations around child safety, deceptive acts and protection of a person’s likeness, voice, name and more. 

The new provision also exempted Tennessee’s Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act, enacted last year. The ELVIS Act was passed to prevent AI from using musician’s likeness and voice without their consent. 

Yet, backlash against the amendment continued from Republican and Democrat leaders, Politico reports. My day’s end Blackburn had found sense and withdrew her support. The senate voted early Tuesday morning to nix the amendment, with even Cruz backing its removal. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/senate-votes-against-curbing-state-level-ai-regulation-130025055.html?src=rss