Rep. Josh Gottheimer is preparing legislation that would force companies building advanced artificial intelligence systems to conduct mandatory risk assessments. The bill, still being drafted, aims to overhaul how the U.S. regulates AI — with an eye on public safety, geopolitical competition and shifts in the workforce.
Why the bill is coming now
Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, has been watching the rapid rollout of powerful AI tools and the lack of guardrails around them. The bill's central requirement — risk assessments for the most capable models — is designed to catch dangers before they hit the market. Lawmakers are increasingly concerned about AI being used to spread disinformation, automate cyberattacks or displace jobs at scale. The proposal also touches on national security: advanced AI could give rival nations an edge if left unchecked.
What the bill would require
The legislation would apply to developers of cutting-edge AI systems, likely defined by computing power or capability thresholds. Those firms would have to evaluate their models for potential harms — bias, misuse, safety failures — and submit findings to a federal body. The exact agency or oversight structure hasn't been nailed down yet; Gottheimer's staff is still working through details. What's clear: the assessments would be mandatory, not voluntary. Companies that skip them could face penalties.
How it fits into the broader regulatory push
Gottheimer's bill is one of several AI-focused measures percolating in Congress. The White House issued an executive order on AI in 2023, but lawmakers say legislation is needed for lasting rules. Other proposals target election deepfakes, algorithmic bias and data privacy. The risk-assessment bill overlaps with some of those efforts but carves out a specific role for pre-market testing — similar to how the FDA reviews drugs before they reach patients.
What happens next
The bill is still in draft form. Gottheimer plans to introduce it in the coming weeks. Once it lands, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he serves, will get first crack. The committee's schedule is tight, but AI regulation has bipartisan interest. Whether the bill can clear both chambers before the next election is an open question — one that depends on how quickly lawmakers decide they've seen enough to act.
