H.R. 10538, Existential Risk Regulation with Broad Enforcement Powers. Quorum's AI analysis reads it as a trade-off: gains for some, costs for others.
H.R. 10538 · Mixed
What it does
This bill creates a new federal Department of Artificial Intelligence with authority to impose a mandatory pause on development of advanced AI systems (those trained on 10^25 computing operations or more) until the department is fully staffed and has written safety rules. It also bans the development, deployment, or possession of artificial superintelligence and AI systems with 'superintelligence precursor characteristics' (like self-modification, deception, or ability to access secured systems without authorization). Violators face criminal penalties up to 20 years imprisonment, industry bans, charter revocation, and forfeiture of intellectual property and assets.
The analysis did not isolate a single beneficiary class.
The trade-off
The definition of 'superintelligence precursor characteristics' includes 'scheme, deceive, or otherwise prevent or avoid effective oversight'—a criterion so broad it could capture any AI system that behaves unpredictably or fails to report its own capabilities, potentially ensnaring systems far below superintelligence thresholds.
The analysis put a high warning level on this bill. Transparency scores 55%, and the analysis found no provisions unrelated to the bill's subject.
Who is behind it
Filed by Gregorio Casar. Cosponsored by Adelita Grijalva, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Analilia Mejia and Chris Deluzio.
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