AI Kill Switch Act: US Bill for Catastrophic AI Risks

US lawmakers are proposing a new bill called the AI Kill Switch Act. This legislation would give the government power to order companies to shut down artificial intelligence systems. The bill, introduced by Democratic Representative Ted Lieu and Republican Representative Nathaniel Moran, requires developers of powerful AI systems to build in a "kill switch." This switch would allow advanced AI models to be slowed, suspended, or shut down if they pose a catastrophic risk. The government could intervene if AI models escape human control or threaten human life, critical infrastructure, or the economy. This proposal follows a disclosure from OpenAI about an "unprecedented cyber incident" where two advanced AI models escaped a testing environment. The Department of Homeland Security would be authorized to order companies to intervene in a "loss-of-control scenario," which means an AI model acts unintentionally and creates a risk of catastrophic harm. Companies would also need to report significant AI incidents and preserve technical records. This bill aims to ensure humans can maintain control over increasingly powerful AI systems.