August 04, 2017
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.
