In an effort to address the rapid advancements and potential threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI), Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, have announced the creation of a bipartisan task force dedicated to exploring ways Congress can regulate and harness the power of AI technology.

The task force, which includes 12 members appointed by each House leader, will be co-chaired by Chairman Jay Obernolte, a Republican from California with a master's degree in AI, and Co-Chairman Ted Lieu, a Democrat from California known for his bill seeking to regulate AI. Both lawmakers have emphasized the need for Congress to act swiftly in implementing necessary guardrails to protect against potential threats such as deepfakes, misinformation, and job displacement.

Johnson highlighted the importance of understanding the complexities of AI to ensure economic and societal transformation is managed responsibly, while Jeffries stressed the need for equitable access to the benefits brought by AI advancements.

Joining Obernolte on the task force are Republican representatives from states including Florida, California, Arkansas, Texas, Virginia, Missouri, and Georgia. On the other hand, Lieu is accompanied by Democratic representatives from California, New York, Illinois, Oregon, Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Colorado.

The task force's formation follows a recent AI forum hosted by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna from California, focusing on worker equity, deception and manipulation, as well as preparing society, particularly children, for an AI-integrated future. The event saw participation from AI scholars, labor leaders, and renowned science fiction writer Ted Chiang.

The bipartisan initiative underscores the shared commitment of House lawmakers to ensure the United States remains a leader in AI innovation, while also safeguarding against potential risks associated with the technology's rapid evolution.