Ted Lieu (D-CA)
American Leadership in AI Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The American Leadership in AI Act aims to improve the United States' position in artificial intelligence through various initiatives. It establishes a Center for AI Standards and Innovation to focus on the reliability, safety, and security of AI systems. The bill creates the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) to improve access to computing and data for researchers while introducing prize competitions to stimulate research in national security, health, and energy. The legislation seeks to modernize federal governance by establishing a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers Council and agency-specific officers. Furthermore, it introduces frameworks to manage the impact of AI on the workforce, legal landscape, and security. Finally, the bill includes provisions for protecting workers, empowering small businesses, and expanding AI education and literacy.
Yes· 3 of 25
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
The bill expands access to AI research resources, scholarships, and specialized educational tools.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill provides funding for AI literacy, research excellence centers, and expanded research capacity via the National Science Foundation.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill enhances cybersecurity through specialized training incentives and updates to the National Vulnerability Database.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill increases maximum prison sentences for fraud offenses committed with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced AI Safety and Reliability: The establishment of the Center for AI Standards and Innovation aims to ensure the reliability, robustness, resilience, security, and safety of artificial intelligence systems. (Section 101)
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Increased Research Access: The National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) is designed to improve access to artificial intelligence resources, such as computational power and data, for researchers and students. (Section 201; Section 5602)
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Medical Breakthroughs: The AI Grand Challenges Program includes a specific requirement for a prize competition aimed at advancing medical breakthroughs to address lethal forms of cancer. (Section 221)
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Healthcare Efficiency: Grants provided through the National Institutes of Health can be used for research to improve the ability of practitioners to record notes, reduce administrative burdens, and expedite insurance claims. (Section 231)
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Workforce and Education Opportunities: The bill includes provisions for an AI Workforce Research Hub, scholarships, fellowships, and the creation of community college centers of AI excellence to prepare people for an AI-literate future. (Section 401; Section 641; Section 643)
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Small Business Support: The bill includes resources intended to help small businesses utilize artificial intelligence through developed resources, such as technical standards and best practices. (Section 411)
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Protection against digital forgeries: Individuals can bring civil actions against those who knowingly produce, possess, or disclose "intimate digital forgeries" to seek damages and injunctions. (Section 501)
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Workforce insight: The creation of the AI Workforce Research Hub allows for the evaluation of AI's impact on the labor market and the experience of United States workers. (Section 401)
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Whistleblower safeguards: Employees and independent contractors are protected from retaliation when providing information regarding AI security vulnerabilities or violations. (Section 522)
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Cybersecurity incentives: Employers can receive a tax credit for qualified employee cybersecurity education expenses. (Section 611)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Data Privacy and Security Risks: While the bill aims to manage risks, the heavy reliance on large-scale datasets and the sharing of information through the NAIRR involves managing significant concerns related to privacy and ethics. (Section 5603; Section 5604)
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Job Dislocation: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is tasked with assessing jobs that could be at risk of dislocation due to the implementation of artificial intelligence. (Section 315)
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Increased criminal penalties: Individuals involved in mail, wire, or bank fraud committed with the assistance of artificial intelligence face significantly higher fines and longer prison sentences. (Section 511)
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Sunset of oversight: The directive for agencies regarding leadership roles and organizational structures related to artificial intelligence will expire 90 days after issuance. (Section 316; Section 317)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill expands access to AI research resources, scholarships, and specialized educational tools. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill offers scholarships, fellowships, and career training opportunities geared toward future technology roles. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides resources and technical standards specifically designed to aid small business adoption of AI. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes support for historically Black colleges and universities in artificial intelligence research. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes funding and outreach for Tribal colleges and universities regarding artificial intelligence. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill establishes pilot programs and research awards specifically targeting rural areas and institutions. Would children be better off under this? — The bill funds K-12 education initiatives to prepare students for an AI-literate future. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill directs research and educational resources toward low-income and rural populations. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill provides new whistleblower protections for employees reporting AI-related risks or violations. Would women be better off under this? — The bill encourages the recruitment of women into AI excellence centers and research programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill directs the development of specific resources and technical standards to help small businesses adopt and integrate artificial intelligence. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds research, education, and prize competitions designed to stimulate new AI-driven industries and jobs. Does this cut taxes for small businesses? — The bill provides a new tax credit for employee cybersecurity education which benefits small business costs. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill includes enhanced whistleblower protections for employees in the artificial intelligence sector.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill provides funding for AI literacy, research excellence centers, and expanded research capacity via the National Science Foundation. Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides new scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students in artificial intelligence.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill establishes safeguards to ensure agency artificial intelligence systems do not infringe on individual privacy. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates agency transparency, accountability, and public reporting regarding the use of artificial intelligence.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill coordinates research between the USDA and NSF to support agricultural and rural economic revitalization. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill funds AI research specifically aimed at solving environmental and natural resource management challenges.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill enhances cybersecurity through specialized training incentives and updates to the National Vulnerability Database.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill provides grants to research how generative AI can improve patient care for medically underserved populations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill increases capacity for artificial intelligence research through institutions serving minority and Tribal communities. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill requires agencies to ensure artificial intelligence systems do not infringe on civil interests and privacy. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides scholarships and fellowships to support students pursuing degrees in artificial intelligence. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill increases maximum prison sentences for fraud offenses committed with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
- 5/20/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/27/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
9 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-2385: CREATE AI Act of 2025
- 119-HR-3460: AI Whistleblower Protection Act
- 119-HR-3679: Small Business Artificial Intelligence Advancement Act
- 119-HR-3707: NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act
- 119-HR-7434: AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026
- 119-HR-9326: USA Act
- 119-S-1269: Promoting United States Leadership in Standards Act of 2025
- 119-S-1792: AI Whistleblower Protection Act
- 119-S-3809: AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Jay ObernolteRepublican · California
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina
George WhitesidesDemocrat · California