Congress Urged to Save U.S. AI Safety Institute From Dismantling
The U.S. AI Safety Institute faces an uncertain future because it relies on an executive order that could easily be repealed. A coalition of over 60 tech companies and universities urges Congress to formally authorize the office to ensure its survival.
The U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI) faces a significant threat of dismantling if Congress does not formally authorize the office. Created under President Joe Biden’s AI Executive Order in November 2023, the institute operates within the Commerce Department to evaluate risks in artificial intelligence systems. However, because its existence depends entirely on that executive order, a future president could easily eliminate the office with a single repeal.
A coalition of over 60 companies, nonprofits, and universities sends a letter to Congress demanding legislation to codify the AISI before the end of the year. Major AI developers like OpenAI and Anthropic sign this appeal, as they already partner with the institute on research and safety testing. Advocates argue that formal congressional authorization protects the agency from political shifts and secures more reliable, long-term funding for its current $10 million budget.
Bipartisan bills in both the Senate and the House aim to officially establish the AISI, though the legislation encounters pushback from some conservative lawmakers over unrelated provisions. While the institute currently lacks strong enforcement power and relies on voluntary standards, tech groups view it as an essential foundation for federal AI oversight. Securing its future through congressional action ensures the government maintains a dedicated office to address the rapid advancement of AI technology.