Langevin, Stefanik Amendments on Artificial Intelligence and National Security Clear Key Committee Hurdle

Press Release

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), chairman of the House Armed Service Committee's Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems Subcommittee, announced that a package of artificial intelligence amendments he offered with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) were adopted as part of the debate on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. The 11 amendments implement recommendations from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) and passed the committee by voice vote.

"I have said many times this year that "science fiction is becoming fact.' Tomorrow's battlefield will not be about a particular platform or weapons system, but about how we connect those systems, analyze data from hundreds of sensors, and help commanders make better tactical and strategic decisions," said Rep. Langevin. "To stay ahead of our adversaries, we must innovate faster. We must streamline our acquisition policies. And we must have an AI-ready defense workforce--from the lab experts to generals and admirals who understand what is possible. I am proud to have partnered so closely with Congresswoman Stefanik to establish the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, review their recommendations, and champion provisions based on their report in both last year's NDAA and in these amendments."

"Artificial Intelligence is an increasingly dominant factor in every aspect of our lives and is essential to both our national and economic security as the United States' adversaries take substantial steps to surpass us in these emerging technologies," said Rep. Stefanik. "I am proud to have worked with Congressman Langevin to establish the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence to ensure the United States does not fall behind in military readiness, the digital workforce, or economic competitiveness. Now, we are able to include many more recommendations made by the Commission in this year's NDAA, so the United States can maintain its global leadership in AI and emerging technologies. I look forward to continuing our work to ensure we harness AI, so the United States will remain a global leader by further developing this cutting-edge technology."

The amendments offered by Langevin address everything from the Department of Defense's AI workforce to new mechanisms to get commercial technologies into the hands of warfighters. One amendment (Committee Log 1455) modifies the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy created in the FY19 NDAA by altering the strategy's periodicity to once per four years to ensure the Department has time for scientific investments to bear fruit and requiring that it inform the National Defense Strategy. The amendment further requires that the strategy encompass both near-term and longer-term scientific and technological goals, and it also puts ethical use and responsible development of technologies front and center.

Another amendment will create a Chief Digital Recruiting Officer at the Department to focus on the Pentagon's ability to attract and retain digital talent. Recognizing the growing importance of the information environment to great power competition, one amendment (Log 1468) requires a DOD strategy to compete in this domain with due consideration of how AI enables information operations.

Stefanik and Langevin created the NSCAI in 2018. Led by Eric Schmidt and Robert Work, the Commission has developed dozens of recommendations to "advance the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and associated technologies to comprehensively address the national security and defense needs of the United States." The Commission released its final report in March. Last year, Langevin and Stefanik worked to include several of their interim recommendations in the NDAA.

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