Congress under pressure to act amid AI panic

Key Points:

• Panic over advanced artificial intelligence is growing among Americans, prompting bipartisan pressure in Congress to regulate AI companies, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling for an immediate classified briefing on AI regulation plans.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to meet with top AI executives soon, but both he and former President Trump have expressed skepticism about aggressive federal regulation, emphasizing that tech companies should lead AI safety efforts to avoid falling behind China.
• The House is set to vote on the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, designed to prevent energy bill spikes for Americans by requiring data centers to cover the full incremental costs of energy grid upgrades, aiming to protect local ratepayers.
• A "pro-human" AI event on September 15 will feature diverse voices from across the political spectrum, including Senator Bernie Sanders, Steve Bannon, and other lawmakers, discussing concerns about AI potentially escaping human control.
• The legislative calendar ahead of the midterm elections is tight, limiting opportunities for swift congressional action on AI regulation, as both the House and Senate are expected to recess soon until after the elections.