Cory Booker (D-NJ)
AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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
This bill, known as the "AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026," authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to create the AI Grand Challenges Program. The program aims to stimulate research, development, and commercialization of artificial intelligence to solve specific, measurable challenges. These challenges cover various sectors including national security, health, energy, and more. The program will award cash and potentially non-cash prizes to eligible participants. Notably, it mandates a specific prize competition focused on cancer breakthroughs.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill establishes a prize program through the National Science Foundation to fund AI-driven research and development.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to grow the economy?
The bill stimulates research, development, and commercialization of artificial intelligence across various economic sectors.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides opportunities for private sector entities to win significant cash prizes through AI competitions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Medical Breakthroughs: The bill requires the establishment of a grand challenge to advance solutions for the most lethal forms of cancer, specifically targeting detection, diagnostics, and treatments to increase quality-adjusted life years (Section 2(c)(3)(A)).
- Significant Prize Awards for Cancer Research: Winners of the cancer-related grand challenge will receive a cash prize of at least $10,000,000 (Section 2(c)(3)(B)).
- Broad Technological Advancement: The program targets a wide range of essential areas such as cybersecurity, agriculture, education, transportation, and manufacturing to solve or advance specific challenges (Section 2(b)(1)).
- Economic Incentives for Researchers: The program provides cash prizes of at least $1,000,000 for winners of other prize competitions (Section 2(f)(1)(A)).
- Public Access to Information: The Director is required to seek public input on identifying challenges and must make biennial reports publicly accessible (Section 2(c)(1)(B) and Section 2(h)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Eligibility Restrictions for Individuals: To be eligible for a prize as an individual, a person must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States (Section 2(e)(2)(A)(ii)).
- Eligibility Restrictions for Private Entities: Private entities wishing to receive an award must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States (Section 2(e)(2)(A)(i)).
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.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill establishes a prize program through the National Science Foundation to fund AI-driven research and development.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill stimulates research, development, and commercialization of artificial intelligence across various economic sectors.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides opportunities for private sector entities to win significant cash prizes through AI competitions.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill identifies cybersecurity as a key category for AI grand challenges to stimulate research and development.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill includes the environment and natural resources management as potential areas for AI grand challenges.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill mandates a grand challenge to advance medical breakthroughs for lethal forms of cancer.
- 2/9/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
4 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.
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota