Leading in AI: A Bipartisan View From the Hill

Why It Matters

Bipartisan congressional action could define the regulatory framework that drives U.S. competitiveness, investment, and safety in the fast‑growing AI sector.

Key Takeaways

• Senators Young and Hickenlooper co‑chair bipartisan AI commission.
• Report calls for upstream AI infrastructure: data centers, energy, permitting.
• Emphasis on workforce retraining and public education for AI adoption.
• Push for voluntary AI standards via NIST’s Center for AI Standards.
• Consider tort liability to spur industry compliance with AI standards.

Summary

The Atlantic Council hosted a bipartisan discussion with Senators Todd Young and John Hickenlooper, co‑chairs of the council’s AI commission, to outline a roadmap for U.S. AI leadership.

The commission’s report highlights several priority gaps: upstream infrastructure such as energy supply and rapid deployment of data centers, permitting reforms, workforce upskilling, and a coordinated public‑education campaign. It also stresses the need for regulatory certainty and a coherent national strategy.

Senators praised the integrated recommendations, likening them to “combined arms” in the Marine Corps. Young cited the Chips and Science Act as a model, while Hickenlooper emphasized the creation of independent verification organizations and the upcoming Future of AI Innovation Act that would fund NIST’s Center for AI Standards.

The dialogue signals growing congressional momentum to fund standards bodies, consider tort‑liability mechanisms, and align state and federal policies, positioning the U.S. to compete with China while managing AI risks.

Original Description

Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) join Atlantic Council Senior Director for Technology Programs Tess deBlanc-Knowles to discuss a bipartisan perspective on artificial intelligence and US competitiveness. This conversation is part of the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center's launch of the flagship report of the Commission on AI and US competitiveness, which presents an action-oriented roadmap for strengthening US domestic AI capacity.