NEW Policy Blog Templates (16)

SIIA Joins Letter to House AI Task Force on AI in Education

by Policy

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) and other organizations, have sent a letter to Representatives Obernolte and Lieu expressing gratitude for their bipartisan leadership in developing sustainable AI policy in the United States. The coalition acknowledges the lawmakers’ efforts in bringing together experts through educational briefings to address significant policy challenges posed by AI. Emphasizing the importance of education beyond student outcomes and teacher working conditions, the coalition calls for a member-level briefing specifically focused on AI’s impact on education. This would ensure that the perspectives of students, parents, educators, and innovators are adequately considered in discussions about AI’s role in America’s educational landscape.

The letter highlights the need for this briefing to address both the opportunities and risks associated with AI in education. It emphasizes the importance of exploring how AI can enhance teaching and accelerate learning while also mitigating potential issues related to privacy, civil rights, and the risk of widening existing disparities. The coalition advocates for prioritizing equitable access to AI technologies, particularly for marginalized groups, and stresses the need to prepare students for success in an AI-driven workforce. With various stakeholders already working to ensure responsible AI use, the coalition urges Congress and the federal government to provide necessary support and guidance to foster safe, accessible, and effective AI integration in schools.

Full Letter Here
NEW Policy Blog Templates (15)

SIIA Joins Organizations in Letter to Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group on AI in Education

by Policy

In partnership with the EDSAFE AI Alliance, The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) and a coalition of education and technology organizations have expressed appreciation for the bipartisan leadership of Senate lawmakers in developing a comprehensive roadmap for artificial intelligence (AI) governance. This roadmap, paired with the establishment of the AI Insights Forums, has been pivotal in addressing key AI policy challenges across industries. While we commend the Senate’s efforts to gather insights from over 150 leaders in business, academia, and technology, SIIA believes that more attention must be given to AI’s profound impact on education. We are calling on the Senate to convene a dedicated forum specifically focused on AI in education, a sector critical to our nation’s global competitiveness and future innovation.

At SIIA, we recognize the opportunities AI offers to improve teaching and accelerate learning, but we also understand the importance of addressing risks such as privacy concerns, civil rights, and potential inequalities. We urge lawmakers to prioritize equitable development and implementation of AI technologies in education, ensuring accessibility for historically marginalized groups, including English learners and students with disabilities. Additionally, we believe it is crucial for Congress to involve key education stakeholders—students, parents, and educators—in these discussions to ensure AI is responsibly integrated into schools. SIIA stands ready to support the Senate in organizing this forum and providing recommendations for experts to contribute to the creation of a thoughtful, effective federal AI policy for the education sector.

Full Letter Here
NEW Policy Blog Templates (13)

SIIA Supports AI Legislation on Incident Reporting and Department of Energy R&D; Praises House Science Committee for Sending Legislation to the Floor

by Policy

The following statement can be attributed to Paul Lekas, Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy & Government Affairs, Software & Information Industry Association:

SIIA commends the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee for passing out of markup H.R. 9720, the AI Incident Reporting and Security Enhancement Act. This critical legislation, which directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to update the National Vulnerability Database to include vulnerabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) systems, represents an important step forward in bolstering AI security and accountability. Creating a centralized repository will assist actors across the AI value chain in the public and private sectors to address challenges collaboratively, not unlike the information sharing mechanisms created to improve cybersecurity resilience. Additionally, the bill’s focus on studying the need for voluntary AI security and safety incident reporting, in coordination with industry, standards development organizations, and federal agencies contributes to strengthening a foundation for responsible AI governance, a priority SIIA strongly supports. By proactively addressing AI vulnerabilities, we can work to ensure that innovation is balanced with the appropriate safeguards to build trust and confidence in these transformative technologies.

We also congratulate the Committee on advancing the Department of Energy (DOE) AI Act of 2024. SIIA has previously endorsed this important legislation as it seeks to advance U.S. leadership in AI by leveraging the unparalleled expertise of DOE’s National Laboratories. This bill not only prioritizes critical AI research and development within the energy sector but also fosters long-term strategic planning and interagency collaboration. With its focus on workforce development, STEM education, and critical infrastructure protection, the DOE AI Act is key to maintaining U.S. competitiveness and national security in the AI era.

SIIA looks forward to continued collaboration with Congress as these bills move forward.

NEW Policy Blog Templates (11)

SIIA Applauds Governor Newsom’s Actions on Legislation Relating to AI and Children

by Policy

The following statement can be attributed to Paul Lekas, Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy, the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA).

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) commends California Governor Gavin Newsom for his continued efforts to address the fast evolving business of artificial intelligence. The veto of SB 1047 was the right decision, and we appreciate the Governor’s consideration of the concerns we laid out in our veto letter. We remain optimistic that policymakers in California and the federal government are moving towards solutions to advance responsible AI development without undermining U.S. innovation.

We also applaud his decision to veto AB 1949 – a bill that would have dramatically changed what the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) would require of businesses when collecting information from minors. AB 1949 is the wrong approach and would have established a notice and consent regime running afoul of data minimization principles supported by Californians. We agree with Governor Newsom that the bill language “has unclear effects on children’s privacy.[1]” We urge the legislature to continue to work together with all stakeholders to effectively protect children and teens’ privacy and safety online.

SIIA also commends the Governor for signing into law two bills designed to protect the integrity of our elections. AB 2355 requires any political advertising that has been altered using AI be disclosed and AB 2839 expands the time from that prohibits distribution of election material containing deceptive AI-generated or manipulated content to 120 days.

We also express appreciation for the signing of AB 2867 that mandates AI literacy be included in the math, science and history-social science curriculum frameworks and instructional material, as well as SB 1288, which directs study and development of a model policy for the safe and effective use of AI in ways that benefit students and educators.

Lastly, SIIA commends Governor Newsom for signing three bills – AB 1831, SB 926, and SB 1381 – that address concerns around the use of AI and other digital tools to alter or generate images. In the context of child pornography and non-consensual intimate imagery, it is critical that wrongdoers be held accountable regardless of the tools they use

 

 

[1] https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AB-1949-Veto-Message.pdf

 

NEW Policy Blog Templates (3)

SIIA Joins the Call for the CREATE AI Act: A Crucial Step for America’s AI Leadership

by Policy
In a letter to Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries, several technology and research organizations, including the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), urge the passage of H.R. 5077, the CREATE AI Act, before the end of the 118th Congress. The Act would establish the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), a shared infrastructure that provides AI researchers and students with access to essential tools, data, and resources, helping to foster safe and trustworthy AI development. The letter highlights the bipartisan support for the Act and its importance in maintaining U.S. leadership in AI innovation, particularly in the face of global competition from countries like China. The NAIRR will reduce the high cost of AI research, expand access to AI training, and enhance U.S. competitiveness in this rapidly evolving field. The letter concludes by emphasizing the urgency of passing the Act to secure America’s future in AI development.
Full Letter Here