Democrats Introduce Bill to Study Environmental Impacts of AI

Congressional Democrats have proposed legislation requiring government agencies to study potential consequences artificial intelligence poses on the environment.

The “Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2024” requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to create a methodology to evaluate AI’s potential environmental impact. Additionally, the NIST will also be required to create an AI Environmental Impact consortium and develop a voluntary reporting system for companies to discuss potential climate impacts posed by their AI models.

It also requires the NIST, Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to create and submit a joint report on AI’s energy consumption and ultimate climate impact and provide recommendations for future legislation, FedScoop reported.

Lawmakers and advocacy groups have been looking at ways to ensure that AI also brings benefits to the general public.

In late July, labor unions attended a White House listening session about the benefits and risks AI poses. During the meeting, union representatives aired their concerns about AI’s potential impacts on job security, health and civil rights.

About a week before the White House meeting, Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced the Safe Innovation Framework for Artificial Intelligence Policy, which requires the government to create a strategy to support AI innovation and codify regulations and the government’s role in the matter.