Jeff McGuiness: House Committee Approves Autonomous Vehicle Legislation, Launching Debate Over the I

Employment Law, Jobs, Skills and Training, Technology

Perhaps for the first time, Congress is confronting the competing interests generated by the emergence of artificial intelligence: the promise of a far better society and the fear of catastrophic job loss.  In late July, the House Energy and Commerce Committee took a major step forward in promoting the autonomous car industry.  It approved the SELF DRIVE Act, which would create a uniform, nationwide set of laws enabling self-driving cars to operate anywhere in the United States unfettered by conflicting state regulatory schemes.  As described in my previous commentary, this legislation is essential if self-driving vehicles are to operate seamlessly in all 50 states.  It was encouraging, therefore, that the vote in committee in favor of the bill was 54 to 0, a welcome example of bipartisanship in an era of gridlock.  However, that unanimous vote would not have occurred if a deal hadn't been made to balance those competing interests.  Read the full blog here.